ASIA – September 25, 2013 – FOX International Channels (FIC) has picked up the exclusive pay-TV rights to the second season of critically acclaimed new drama series The Bridge in 125 countries worldwide. This follows today’s second season order by FX and Shine America.
FIC, who also serves as co-financing partner on the series, launched The Bridge in tandem with FX’s domestic premiere earlier this summer as part of a weeklong streak of international launches. A synced, integrated global marketing campaign drove over 4.5 million viewers across FIC’s metered pay TV markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia to tune-in to the series’ bow abroad. The Bridge has since become a solid ratings’ driver for FIC’s entertainment channel brands, including FOX and FX, which FIC manages worldwide, ex US.
We are thrilled to have another season of The Bridge.” said Sharon Tal Yguado, FIC’s EVP of Scripted Programming and Original Development. “The creators of the show have an exciting plan for season two which we can’t wait to share with the world.”
The Bridge marks FIC’s latest investment in a rapidly expanding slate of original programming to bow globally. The drama follows the worldwide simultaneous premiere model pioneered by FIC with season one of The Walking Dead, and replicated since with key properties.
This is in line with the FIC’s strategy to produce more original content at all levels – globally, regionally and locally. In Asia, recent original productions commissioned by FIC include the pan-regional series I Wouldn’t Go In There and the highly-rated locally Taiwan produced Frogmen, both of which were for National Geographic Channel Asia. On the entertainment side, upcoming shows Asia’s Next Top Model, The Apartment and K-Pop Star Hunt will also be added to FIC Asia’s slate of original productions commissioned in Asia for audiences in this region.
Starring Academy Award® nominee Demian Bichir and Diane Kruger, The Bridge is a present-day crime thriller exploring the tensions on the US-Mexico border. When an American judge known for her anti-immigration views is found dead on the bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez, Sonya Cross (Kruger) from El Paso PD must work with her Mexican counterpart from Chihuahua State Police, Marco Ruiz (Bichir), to catch a serial killer operating on both sides of the border. Marco understands the slippery politics of Mexican law enforcement, and while his police force slowly succumbs to the pressures and demands of the cartel, he’s one of the last good men in the department. He’s charming, but also cunning as he will do whatever it takes to get what he needs. This does not sit well with Sonya, who has Asperger’s and strictly follows rules as well as protocol. Her candid and off-putting personality fuels an unforgiving drive for truth. The case quickly pulls them into a string of murders on the border, a scene already consumed by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, violence and prostitution.
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This press release was issued on behalf of FOX International Channels Asia by Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic). For further information, please contact:
FOX International Channels
Kelly Jang
Director
Pan Regional Trade Marketing & PR
DID: +852 2621 8875
Email: Kelly.jang@fox.com
Tactic Public Relations Limited (Tactic)
Kristen Gallagher
Tactic – Hong Kong
DID: +852 2114 4345
FAX: +852 2114 0880
Email: kristen.gallagher@tacticpr.com.hk
Diana Low
Tactic – Singapore
DID: +65 6325 8264
FAX: +65 6325 8262
Email: diana.low@tacticpr.com.sg