STV keeps eye on America

By Greig Cameron on Aug 2, 10 04:04 PM in Media

Hot on the heels of its link up with YouTube STV is once again going to the US market.

This time it's a format sharing partnership with Kinetic Content.

The deal means STV Productions will licence original Kinetic shows in the UK and vice versa.

Both companies also intend to work together to develop new formats for broadcast in Britain and the US.

Santa Monica based Kinetic was founded earlier this year and is headed by former RDF America boss Chris Coelen.

Coelen and his RDF team - some of whom came with him in the new venture - sold more than 30 shows between 2006 and 2009 so it seems like a good way in to the US networks for STV.

A member of STV staff will also be based in Kinetic's Los Angeles headquarters to develop projects.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the deal is the possibility of flagship STV shows like Taggart and Rebus being remade for the US.

Ceolen certainly has previous form in that regard setting up BBC show Being Human for a transatlantic makeover.

Other programmes in the STV locker - including Antiques Road Trip, DNA Stories, Missing Mums; and Extreme Celebrity Detox - could also be ripe to make the transition.

It will certainly be interesting to see the first fruits from this partnership as Ceolen oversaw the creation of various US adaptations of British shows, including a version of the BBC's Being Human for Syfy.

No suggestion of any imminent remakes at this stage but never say never.

What it will mean is STV has a good foot in the door to get its content into the myriad broadcast networks in the States.