MediaWorks agrees NBCU package

New Zealand broadcaster MediaWorks has extended its agreement with NBCUniversal (NBCU) that will see its channels become home to shows including Heroes Reborn and State of Affairs.

MediaWorks has secured exclusive rights to an array of NBCU series, which will air on TV3 and Four. Action drama series Odyssey is included in the package along with feature films such as Despicable Me 2 and Fast & Furious 6.

Most shows have been slated to debut in New Zealand later this year following their US premieres, while Heroes Reborn will air following its debut on NBC in 2015.

MediaWorks previously held a similar arrangement with NBCU and also has deals with other US studios, including 21st Century Fox, with whom it negotiated a new content package in December. An earlier output deal ended after the new owners of MediaWorks chose not to renew the previous arrangement following their take over of the broadcaster in November.

Since then, the company has appointed a new CEO following Sussan Turner’s decision to leave after five years with the firm, during which she guided it through last year’s receivership and debt restructuring.

Mark Weldon took up the role at the broadcaster, which also appointed 18-year company veteran Mark Caulton as its director of programming in May.