London/Sydney, 6th December 2019: Network 10 has today announced its first joint primetime content initiative with its sister broadcaster, Channel 5 in the UK, since the completion of the ViacomCBS merger that has brought the two free-to-air networks together under common ownership.
The two broadcasters are joining forces to fund a 4 x 60-minute mini-series, Breathless, which will be produced by Fremantle, starring former EastEnders star Charlie Brooks and renowned Australian actor Brett Tucker from US series The Americans, Station 19 and Mistresses, and best known locally for his lead roles in McLeod’s Daughters and Neighbours. It is the chilling tale centred on a British woman and her husband seeking a fresh start in Australia after infidelity rocks their marriage – that’s the plan until they hire a young local nanny who isn’t as innocent as she appears and there are deadly consequences. Further casting announcements will be made in the new year.
The series will commence production early 2020, with the series’ creator, Jason Herbison, executive producing for Fremantle and Greg Barnett acting as Commissioning Editor for Channel 5. Breathless will be filmed in Melbourne, Australia, with funding assistance from Film Victoria, and directed by ADG Award recipient Scott Major (Neighbours, Playing For Keeps).
The commission builds on existing links between Network 10 and Channel 5 with Australia’s longest running and successful drama Neighbours, and follows the networks’ recent collaboration on the critically acclaimed Neighbours spin-off series, Neighbours: Erinsborough High, which premiered on their respective digital streaming services, 10 Play and My5.
Network 10’s Chief Content Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “Having worked with Channel 5 on a number of projects previously, we’re really excited to be working with them once again to bring this captivating new drama to Australian audiences, this time as a sister company. It’s a great example of the opportunities the ViacomCBS merger can bring to markets around the world.”
Ben Frow, Director of Programmes for ViacomCBS’s UK networks, including Channel 5, commented: “First and foremost, Breathless promises to be a really compelling addition to our expanding line-up of quality drama that is proving popular with British audiences across both our TV networks and streaming services. At the same time, it’s a great way of extending our partnership with Network 10 – with a shared language and such strong cultural connections between the UK and Australia, there is obvious potential to explore further opportunities for content sharing now Channel 5 and Network 10 are part of the same family.”
Chris Oliver-Taylor, Fremantle CEO, Asia Pacific, said: “Fremantle Australia is thrilled to be producing Breathless for Channel 5 and Network 10. Jason Herbison has created a fantastic world of deceit, thrills, twists and turns that will keep the audiences in both the UK and Australia guessing. Jason, Jo Porter and I are delighted to be cementing the incredible long-standing relationship that Fremantle has had with ViacomCBS over many years by bringing this new exciting series to a truly global audience.”
-ENDS-
Vida Scott, Network 10 (Sydney): +61 401 435 309 or vscott@networkten.com.au
Kelly Davis, Fremantle (Sydney): +61 413 009 545 or Kelly.Davis@fremantle.com
Yinka Akindele, ViacomCBS Networks International (London): +44 203 580 2872 or yinka.akindele@vimn.com
About Network 10
Network 10 delivers content that is premium and differentiated to the young and young at heart in the way they want it. It’s content that gets people positively engaged. Network 10 has a rich viewing ecosystem with three free-to-air television channels in 10, 10 Peach and 10 Bold, an online catch-up and streaming service 10 Play, a news and entertainment website 10 Daily, a subscription video on demand service 10 All Access and podcasting platform 10 Speaks. Network 10 is distinctly different.
About Channel 5
Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997 Channel 5 has been owned by Viacom International Media Networks since September 2014. Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Spike, 5Select and My5 TV reach 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month with a diverse schedule including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming and critically acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 has led on societal issues from inequality to inner city gang life, homelessness to mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation. My5 is an on-demand service allowing viewers to watch content online for free from Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and 5Spike. In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald and was named ‘Channel of the Year’ at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
About Fremantle:
In Australia, Fremantle’s critically acclaimed and award-winning scripted output includes seven seasons of series Wentworth, which has been remade in four languages with the eighth Australian season currently in production, the limited series Picnic at Hanging Rock for Foxtel and Amazon Prime which premiered at Berlinale and Tribeca Film Festivals, and the iconic serial drama Neighbours. Fremantle unscripted content includes the hugely successful Australia’s Got Talent, Celebrity Name Game, Great Australian Bake Off, Grand Designs Australia, Escape from the City, The Recording Studio, Farmer Wants A Wife and Restoration Australia. Fremantle is also at the forefront in the creation and production of digital media content, brand integration and brand extensions including the popular Grand Designs Magazine and Australia’s number one selling board game, Family Feud.
Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. A global entertainment powerhouse, Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries. We produce in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 70 formats and air 400 programmes a year worldwide. The group distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. We are also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 370 million subscribers across 1,500 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms.
Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann.
