ABC, CBC agree collaboration

Australian pubcaster the ABC and its Canadian counterpart the CBC have agreed a creative and commercial collaboration to “enhance the reach and impact of their content across both countries.”

Catherine Tait

The broadcasters have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop English-language drama, comedy, factual and children’s content as well as podcasts, with details revealed at the Banff World Media Festival, which is taking place in the Canadian mountain resort this week.

The pair said the three-year MoU would maximise the value of their public funding for audiences and provide further opportunities for co-financing and format sales of drama and children’s content.

Initiatives under the agreement include co-development of children’s programmes across TV, radio and digital, including two new proposed TV projects for 2-6s and 8-14s.

ABC will also acquire CBC Kids’ original commission Big Blue plus CBC copros Kiri & Lou and Endings, the upcoming sci-fi epic made with Sinking Ship Entertainment.

In addition, the pair will collaborate on drama, comedy and factual programmes through co-development, finance or acquisitions “that promote the core values of the public broadcasters.”

David Anderson

The MoU will build on an existing relationship that has seen CBC acquire broadcast rights to ABC shows Ronny Chieng: International Student, Mustangs FC, Hannah Gadsby’s Nakedy Nudes and Hannah Gadsby’s Oz, as well as format rights to ABC original series You Can’t Ask That.

“At a time when public broadcasters are competing with the best content in the world, partnerships like this will ensure we can nurture and develop more distinct storytelling and co-finance ambitious projects with greater global reach,” said Catherine Tait, president and CEO of CBC.

“This agreement will offer new opportunities for producers in Canada and Australia and bring our top creators, talent and stories to broader audiences at home and around the world.”

ABC MD David Anderson added: “In a world of global media giants, the outstanding and accessible content produced by like-minded public broadcasters is more important than ever.

“This collaboration between the ABC and CBC will drive our limited resources further, leveraging our strengths to create and share distinctive local content that connects with audiences at home and overseas.”