NBCU, Matchbox back Ayres prodco

NBCUniversal International Studios (NBCUIS) and its Australian shingle Matchbox Pictures are to invest in a new production company founded by award-winning Glitch co-creator Tony Ayres.

Tony Ayres

Ayres has launched Tony Ayres Productions (TAP) to specialise in high-end scripted drama and feature films for the Australian and international markets.

Headquartered down under, TAP will operate as an independent company, developing and creating its own slate of programmes and films. It will work exclusively in partnership with NBCUIS and Matchbox to identify creative and commercial opportunities across international markets and to cultivate its international presence.

As part of the deal, NBCUIS will have first-look privileges over feature films developed and produced by Ayres through TAP.

Ayres will continue to work as an executive producer at Matchbox – the prodco he co-founded in 2008 – across a number of programmes, including season four of children’s drama Nowhere Boys.

Last year, streaming giant Netflix picked up the international rights to all three seasons of the teenage fantasy action-adventure series, which originally launched on Australian pubcaster the ABC.

“For the past few years, I’ve been keen to focus on more international-facing drama in television and film,” Ayres said. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with NBCU International Studios to develop a new slate of global projects with my key collaborators. I’m also very pleased to continue working with the super-talented people at Matchbox.”

NBCUIS president Jeff Wachtel said his firm was delighted to be supporting Ayres in his new venture and working with him “to bring his vision directly to the global market.”

Along with fellow co-founders Penny Chapman, Helen Panckhurst, Helen Bowden and Michael McMahon, Ayres has created a number of high-profile series with Matchbox, including The Slap, Glitch, Barracuda and Seven Types of Ambiguity. NBCUIS took a majority stake in the company in 2011 before acquiring full ownership in 2014.