‘Top Gear’ Steers To Australia; Fremantle Promotions; Thunderbird Kids Show – Global Briefs

‘Top Gear‘ Steers To Australia

Top Gear is returning to Australia for the first time in more than a decade. Paramount+ has ordered a local version of the British motoring series, which BBC Studios will produce. Hosts are music composer and car enthusiast Blair Joscelyne, Amazing Race Australia presenter Beau Ryan and actor Jonathan LaPaglia. “Top Gear Australia promises to deliver everything fans love about the show but with an Aussie twist,” said Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content & Programming, Paramount Australia & New Zealand. “We can’t wait for Jonathan, Beau and Blair to get behind the wheel of the world’s biggest car entertainment show.” Top Gear aired on SBS in 2008-9 and then moved to Nine Network from 2010-12 before being canceled. The UK-originated format is produced in multiple territories and has been a big success around the world. The news comes, however, at a tricky time for UK Top Gear, which has been off air since host Andrew Flintoff was hurt in an accident while filming. He most recently agreed a £9M ($11M) settlement with BBC Studios.

Fremantle Expands Remit Of CEE Sales Chief

Fremantle has expanded the remit of CEE sales chief Nick Pawsey by handing him the keys to Nordics and the Benelux. Pawsey will be responsible for driving sales of Fremantle’s shows with local broadcasters and platforms in the hefty region, leading the combined team for programing sales across Fremantle’s scripted, factual and lifestyle catalogue. Based out of London, he will report to Jamie Lynn, EVP Co-Production and Distribution EMEA, while Fremantle is seeking a Director of Distribution, CEE to support him. Simultaneously, Louise Toner, who was previously VP Distribution, UK, has taken on the Irish brief. “Nick’s leadership will be essential for scaling up the growth of our distribution business in these regions,” said Lynn. “Over the past six years with Fremantle, he has had incredible success getting our name and brilliant content in front of huge audiences.” 

Canada’s Thunderbird Takes On ‘BooSnoo!’

Canada’s Thunderbird has taken on global media and consumer product rights to BooSnoo!, the Sky Kids series. Bar the UK, Thunderbird Distribution has taken on the show for sales around the world. BooSnoo! is designed to captivate kids through a novel neurodiverse-friendly approach that features bespoke visuals set to music with a calm tone. It is inspired by autistic stimming interests such as spinning, mechanics, predictable tracks, numbers and bold clear colours. Season 1 ran for 41 episodes on Sky Kids and it has been commissioned for a second season. “BooSnoo! is a special series. There is nothing like it in the market,” said Richard Goldsmith, Thunderbird President of Global Distribution & Consumer Products.