10 November 2008

TVNZ LAUNCHES 'SORORITY FOREVER,' A NEW ORIGINAL DIGITAL SERIES AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE, FROM WARNER BROS. INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

'Sorority Forever,' a new, original shortform series made specifically for the Internet from director/producer McG (upcoming 'Terminator Salvation' feature film, 'Supernatural,' 'The O.C.') and 'Big Fantastic', will be available on TVNZ ondemand from November 6, 2008, through an agreement with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution..

The series - headlined by 'lonelygirl15' star Jessica Rose, who grew up in New Zealand and attended both Mount Maunganui College and the Academy of Film and Television Work - consists of 40 episodes (two - three minutes in length) and is an innovative mystery/drama which peeks behind the walls of one of the most intriguing secret societies in the world: the sorority. With a mystery around every corner, 'Sorority Forever' will provide viewers with a sexy and immersive experience that is simultaneously realistic and voyeuristic. TVNZ ondemand will launch the series with a five-episode special and will then feature a new episode each weekday at www.tvnzondemand.co.nz.

Jason Paris, Head of Marketing and Emerging Business, said: "TVNZ and Warner Bros International Television have enjoyed a long and successful partnership, and we're delighted to be able to offer our online audience an exciting new drama."
Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television, said: "'Sorority Forever,' which was a success in the U.S. and stars New Zealand native Jessica Rose, is a great match for the TVNZ ondemand audience and this deal continues our global distribution strategy of providing viewers with access to our programming in a reliable and legal way, at their convenience, on demand"

ENDS

ABOUT WARNER BROS INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution is one of the world's largest distributors of feature films, television programs and animation to the international television marketplace (broadcast, pay cable, basic cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital platforms, etc.). It licenses some 50,000 hours of programming (including more than 6,000 features and 70+ current series), dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cable casters in more than 175 countries.

ABOUT TVNZ
TVNZ is New Zealand's biggest free-to-air broadcaster and is also the nation's television public broadcaster. We operate four channels, TV ONE and TV2, and another two digital-only channels, TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7, which are broadcast through the Freeview platform. As well, TVNZ runs an online "catchup TV" service called TVNZ ondemand.

The TVNZ Charter provides a guide to our broadcasting responsibilities and makes it clear that TVNZ's role is to reflect and explore what it means to be a New Zealander. To New Zealanders this unique and special responsibility means quality television that educates, informs and entertains through local home grown programming and the best of international programming.