BBC Worldwide brings new Palin series to TVNZ

BBC Worldwide brings new Palin series to TVNZ

6 June 2007

New Europe with Michael Palin, the extraordinary new 6 x 50’ series from one of the world’s best-loved presenters, will air on TV ONE following a deal with BBC Worldwide Australasia.

Having already explored to the four corners of the Earth in Full Circle, Sahara and Himalaya, and navigated his way from Pole to Pole and Around the World in 80 Days, intrepid adventurer Michael Palin explores 20 countries across Central and Eastern Europe. Although much closer to home, many of these places are as engaging and mysterious as anywhere Palin has been on his journeys further afield.

New Europe with Michael Palin is a Prominent Television production for the BBC.

“Michael Palin’s programs have always resonated very strongly with New Zealanders” said Melanie Owen, BBC Worldwide’s Sales Manager, New Zealand, who concluded the deal. “With his good humour, bravery and honesty, he captures the spirit of independent travel perfectly.”

BBC Worldwide’s Sydney office has also licensed the moving new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion (1 x 95’), a Clerkenwell Films / WGBH production for ITV. Starring Sally Hawkins (Fingersmith) and Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks) and dealing with the eternal themes of love, obligation and regret, the new adaptation underscores the timeless appeal of Austen’s work.

Also included in the deal are the second series of drama series Torchwood (13 x 50’) and Primeval (7 x 50’), which are both due to launch on TV2. Torchwood, a BBC Wales / CBC co-production, follows the adventures of a young team of alien investigators in present-day Cardiff, while Primeval, an Impossible Pictures production for ITV, ProSieben and M6, combines the dazzling special effects of Walking With Dinosaurs with a haunting love story, and asks a terrifying question - has mankind come to the end of the evolutionary road?

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment and Digital Media. In 2005/06, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £89 million on sales of £784 million.

New Europe with Michael Palin was formerly known as Palin’s New Europe.

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