Zodiak Rights, a unit of European TV giant Banijay Group, has signed a major first-look deal with L.A.-based Arise Pictures to bankroll and distribute a slate of scripted TV series that Arise will develop and produce.
Arise was set up in 2012 by entertainment lawyer Chris Pettit and writer/producer David Raymond to develop and produce original series and films across multiple genres. The company’s TV development slate runs from the children’s series Webels to The Cleaners, a thriller series set in the world of international money laundering. Raymond is the writer/creator of Arise’s series.
Zodiak said the multi-year deal, brokered by Zodiak Rights’ Caroline Torrance and Chris Stewart and Pettit of Arise, was expected to deliver some $150 million worth of content.
The deal marks a further push by Zodiak and parent Banijay into scripted series. Zodiak’s drama slate includes the big-budget French series Versailles, an international Emmy winner, and Kenneth Branagh-starrer Wallander. At next month’s MIPTV television market in Cannes, the company will be unveiling Australian drama series Wolf Creek, a spin-off of the hit horror films, and Belgian drama Public Enemy.
Banijay Group is controlled by Stephane Courbit’s LOV Group, Italy’s De Agostini Group and French conglomerate Vivendi.
