[press release from Shed]
Distraction is excited to joins forces with top Australian production and distribution company dSP Beyond, to produce Distraction’s format catalogue in Australia and New Zealand, whilst also developing new formats for the global market.
The new joint venture will operate under the brand ‘dSP Beyond Distraction’. Since its launch in 1997 Distraction has long been recognised as a leading independent format distributor, but with this most recent production enterprise, Distraction is signalling its intent to expand and adapt to the ever-changing and growing demands of the international television industry.
dSP Beyond, founded in 2005 as a collaboration between Denis Spencer Productions and Beyond International, has a formidable standing throughout Australasia and the international marketplace. With their leading trade name and production expertise spearheaded by proven production operator Denis Spencer, dSP Beyond will serve as supreme partners for Distraction.
The partnership ensures that Distraction will be the exclusive international distributor outside of Australia and New Zealand, for all dSP Beyond formats. Distraction has added dSP Beyond prime time ratings hit Your Money Sorted to its Mipcom slate, which was recently commissioned for a second season in New Zealand on TVOne.
dSP Beyond Distraction’s first commission comes from major Australian broadcaster SBS for the hit political-reality format The Next Great Leader from CBC Canada. The format deal was brokered by Victoria Baldock (Verve Entertainment), as Distraction’s sales representative for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
dSP Beyond believes in the quality of Distraction’s format catalogue and Distraction has every faith in the production skills of their new partners; together they are confident of putting many of Distraction’s formats on the air in Australia and New Zealand.
Mikael Borglund, MD and CEO of Beyond International and Dennis Spencer comment: “Having a successful leading independent format distributor like Distraction as a partner is a must for TV production companies. dSP Beyond is excited to be joining forces with this entrepreneurial company to produce their formats in Australia and New Zealand.”