Outrageous Fortunate Fun

7 November 2006

Media Release

Outrageous Fortunate Fun

New Zealand viewers can look forward to another series of TV3’s successful drama Outrageous Fortune thanks to a decision from the latest NZ On Air funding round.

“The programme has been very successful,” said NZ On Air’s Acting Chief Executive, Bernard Duncan. “It’s a measure of our confidence in it that the NZ On Air Board has given the thumbs-up to a third series of the prime time drama,”

Mr Duncan said that there was good news for both drama and comedy in the latest funding round, and that New Zealand audiences could anticipate the return of old favourites as well as some exciting new programmes.

“In the drama genre, we recently agreed to fund TVNZ’s proposal for a new long-running serial, The Point. This is an exciting concept that should be very positive for the New Zealand production industry, and we hope The Point will establish itself as successfully as Shortland Street has,” Mr Duncan said.

NZ On Air has committed $9,970,000 to the production of a further 22 one-hour episodes of Outrageous Fortune, and agreed to $8,300,000 for the production of 230 half-hour episodes of The Point. Both series are likely to screen next year.

Another drama winner in the latest funding round was Filmwork’s The Strength of Water. The 100-minute feature film is about a Maori child coping with the death of his twin. The Board agreed to contribute $500,000 to the production, which is jointly supported by the New Zealand Film Commission and German investors. The Strength of Water will screen on the Maori Television Service.

NZ On Air’s latest round sees some fun in the funding too, with support confirmed for a further six-part series of bro'Town and seven more half-hours of The Unauthorized History of New Zealand. Respectively the series have been allocated $1,550,000 and $295,514 of NZ On Air support. TV3’s bro’Town has become a firm favourite with Kiwi audiences, and the irreverent Unauthorised History on TV2 has similarly found a comfortable niche, with both programmes rating well in their prime time slots.

Bernard Duncan said the NZ On Air Board was very pleased with the latest round of applications. “The quality of many of the concepts presented was very high, and we look forward to seeing both the return of the existing popular programmes and the new ventures. Local content is certainly looking good for 2007.”

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Outrageous Fortune $9,970,000
22 x 1 hour
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: John Laing
South Pacific Pictures

The Point $8,300,000
230 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TVNZ
Producer: TBC
TVNZ

The Strength of Water $500,000
1 x 100 min. feature film
Broadcaster: MTS
Producer: Fiona Copland
Filmwork Ltd

Unauthorised History of New Zealand 3 $295,514
7 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TVNZ
Producer: Paul Smith, Paul Casserly
Great Southern Television

bro’Town 4 $1,550,000
6 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV3
Director: Ali Cowley
Firehorse Films

ENDS

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