Zodiak Rights, the international division of Zodiak Media, and Northern Ireland producer Stirling Television have signed an all-genre first-look deal agreement. Zodiak Rights already represent Stirling’s Irish dancing series ‘Jigs & Wigs’ (BBC One Northern Ireland/RTE, 6 x 30’).
Belfast-based Stirling Film & Television Productions, founded in 1994, specialises in drama, true crime programming, factual entertainment series and observational documentary series. The first programmes to come under the deal from the Stirling Television portfolio are ‘Jigs & Wigs’ series 2 (BBC One Northern Ireland, 5 x 30’), ‘Clubland’ (RTE, 1 x 60’) and ‘The Beauty Pageant Storm’ (RTE, 1 x 60’).
‘Jigs & Wigs’ is a documentary series that looks at the constantly evolving world of Irish dancing. The second series will feature famous dressmaker Thelma Madine from ‘Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’ (also represented by Zodiak Rights). The first series launched on BBC One Northern Ireland with a performance 15% above average and went on to secure a BBC Four slot.
Stirling’s documentary special ‘Clubland’ goes behind the scenes of The Wright Venue, Ireland's biggest and most notorious nightclub, in the lead up to its re-launch. ‘The Beauty Pageant Storm’ follows a US child beauty pageant team who had plans to run their first Irish competition derailed when they were denounced by Irish Parliament.
Andreas Lemos, VP Acquisitions of Zodiak Rights stated: “We are delighted to be working with Stirling TV in a first look deal for many reasons, a primary one being that there is a wealth of talent in Northern Ireland that we are keen to tap into more. Jigs & Wigs is a fantastically colourful ‘hidden worlds’ series of the kind we excel in internationally, and we’re looking forward to launching the show as an 11 x 30’ series in 2015!”
Anne Stirling, Managing Director of Stirling said: “We are delighted at the international and co-production opportunities offered by Zodiak Rights and grateful for the support which Northern Ireland Screen offered in realising this deal.”
Zodiak Rights will own worldwide distribution rights to Stirling Television’s current slate and up-coming programming.
Stirling Television received funding from Northern Ireland Screen for its slate of projects. Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, has said: "This is great news for Stirling Television, one of the most successful production companies in Northern Ireland. Zodiak Rights is a powerful global player therefore supporting a partnership between Zodiak and Stirling Television fits perfectly with our strategy to truly internationalise the screen industry in Northern Ireland.”
