Blue Ant International to exclusively represent CMJ’s entire new slate; deal includes acquisition of library with almost 200 hours, all available at MIPCOM this Fall
CMJ to develop and produce 39 hours of premium original content annually for Blue Ant Media
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(Toronto, ON, September 13, 2016) – Blue Ant International, a division of Blue Ant Media and leaders in global content distribution, announced today its multi-year distribution and production output deal with CMJ Productions II Inc. This exclusive distribution output deal provides 39 hours of new and premium unscripted content annually, as well as the acquisition of CMJ’s library of almost 200 hours of high-quality lifestyle and factual content. The deal highlights Blue Ant International’s continued expansion as it shores up more global partnerships with first-class factual content creators.
Specializing in factual series, CMJ is committed to developing and producing premium documentary programming such as Fatal Vows (62 x 60’ HD), a series that explores tumultuous, shocking and high-stake divorces and the deadly murders linked to them. Other noteworthy credits include A Stranger In My Home (26 x 60’ HD), which follows suspenseful true stories of what happens when strangers come together under one roof and begin new relationships.
“CMJ Productions have a proven track record of delivering high quality content to international buyers. Their rich development expertise and ability to execute ratings hits allows Blue Ant International to deliver on its promise of providing premium content,” said Solange Attwood, SVP, Blue Ant International. “We look forward to showcasing both their new and existing slates.”
As part of this deal, Blue Ant Media has commissioned CMJ to produce 39 hours annually of original content for the media’s company’s growing roster of passionate brands which include T+E, Smithsonian Channel Canada and Cottage Life. Programming will focus on factual, factual entertainment and docu-dramas.
“We’ve entered into an exclusive production arrangement with CMJ for 39 hours of original premium content to expand Blue Ant Media’s factual slate. With CMJ’s expertise in factual-entertainment and docu-dramas, we see this as a great opportunity to further explore more international co-production relationships while delivering exclusive content to Canadian audiences,” said Vanessa Case, EVP,Content, Blue Ant Media.
“CMJ is thrilled to enter into this new partnership with global distribution leader, Blue Ant International, “ said John Kuyk, Founder, President, CMJ Productions II Inc. “Blue Ant International’s ability to make deals across diverse types of platforms allows us to exploit our content in many new ways and aligns with our corporate growth strategy.”
Blue Ant International is a leader in global content distribution and native 4K wildlife and nature programming. Its diverse catalogue of over 2,000 hours includes award-winning factual, lifestyle, reality and documentary series and formats. With offices in the UK and Canada, the company’s catalogue includes Airport: Below Zero (Our House Media; 10×60’ HD), The Cowboy (Network Entertainment; 2×45’ or 1×90’ HD) and Post My Party (Blue Ant Media; 13×30’ HD). Blue Ant International is a division of Blue Ant Media. blueantinternational.com
Blue Ant Media is a privately held international media company that owns and operates 10 media brands including Cottage Life, Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel Canada and Makeful. Blue Ant Media creates and distributes content worldwide ranging from nature to DIY, outdoor living to music, engaging fans across television, digital, magazines and live events. The company also owns Omnia Media, a YouTube network and Choice TV, a broadcast channel in New Zealand. Blue Ant Media is based in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles, London (UK) and Auckland. blueantmedia.ca
Since John Kuyk founded CMJ Productions II Inc. in 2001, the independent development and production company has gained a global reputation for its success in the factual series programming arena. The company today has multiple original series airing in primetime on multiple networks collectively in the U.S. and Canada.CMJ Production’s award-winning programming has been licensed around the world and has aired on such prominent networks ranging from History Channel,Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Science Channel, Velocity, Reelz, and Discovery UK, to T+E, W Canada, CMT Canada, Slice, Investigation Discovery Canada, OWN Canada, Canal D, Investigation Quebec, Canal Vie and Évasion.
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