NZ On Air Funds Hit Drama - Street Legal

17 October 2001

Media Release

NZ On Air Funds Hit Drama

NZ On Air will give $4.5 million in continuing support to a third round of the hit Kiwi drama, Street Legal.

“Street Legal is an internationally-recognised, high quality drama, and NZ On Air is delighted to be able to support the production of a third series,” said NZ On Air Television Manager, Neil Cairns.

“The programme’s appeal is growing, along with its reputation. Street Legal was recently sold in Australia in a breakthrough deal, and has also sold to a number of European countries. Overseas networks are snapping it up.”

“It’s rare for a New Zealand drama series to receive NZ On Air and broadcaster support for three seasons – the last series to get the nod for a third series was Marlin Bay, in 1993. This is a great measure of the success and support Street Legal has achieved,” said Mr. Cairns.

Screenworks producer, Greg McGee, said NZ On Air funding was crucial for the production of a drama series such as Street Legal.

“Drama is expensive to produce – even when you do it as cost-effectively as we do in New Zealand. Without the support of Government funding, through NZ On Air, this programme would never make it to air," said Mr. McGee.

NZ On Air has allocated $4,673,990 to ScreenWorks for the production of 13 one-hour episodes of Street Legal III for screening on TV2.

ends

This media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Funding details:

Street Legal III $4,673,990
13 x 1 hour drama series
Broadcaster: TV 2
Producer: Greg McGee, ScreenWorks

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