Abacus counts up worldwide sales

National Geographic Channel took unscripted series Rhys Darby: Big in Japan

ATF: Broadcasters in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe have taken factual titles from start-up distributor Abacus Media Rights (AMR).

Among the deals closed by Amcomri Media Group-backed AMR is one with National Geographic Channel for unscripted series Rhys Darby: Big in Japan (4×60’), Griff’s Great Kiwi Road Trip (4×60’), Griff’s Great Australian Rail Trip (6×60’) and The Helper (1×106’).

Outback Lockdown (3×60’), Alone Across the Arctic (1×87’) and Surviving the Outback (1×57’), meanwhile, have been licensed to The Outdoor Channel (Asia), while Wowow in Japan will air music documentaries Lennon’s Last Weekend (1×60’) and Whitney: Can I Be Me (1×100’), while RTHK in Hong Kong has picked up Toxic Beauty (1×90’).

AMR, which was launched by former Kew Media distribution chief Jonathan Ford in April, has also closed a deal with factual streamer iwonder for Asian and Australian rights to a package of content.

This includes Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (1×89’), Jihad Jane (1×94’), People You May Know (1×92’), The Redeemed & the Dominant: Fittest on Earth (1×116’), Sound City (1×108’) and In Search of the Last Action Heroes (1×129’).

Other recent deals completed by AMR include Lennon’s Last Weekend going to SBS in Australia, Movistar+ in Spain, TV4 in Sweden, DR in Denmark and Britbox for US/Canada.

In addition, People You May Know was acquired by AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now in the US, UK and Canada, as well as Fusion in the US, ZDF in Germany, HistoireTV in France, DR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, Channel 8 in Israel, DirecTV in Latin America, Globoplay in Brazil, iwonder in Australia and Asia, and Rialto in New Zealand.

The deals were concluded as the digital version of Asia TV Forum & Market got underway today.