Picture Box Distribution

American broadcaster CNBC has scooped up three seasons of the financial makeover series 'TIL DEBT DO US PART'(104 X 30'). Produced by Frantic Films in association with Canwest Broadcasting's SliceTM, 'Til Debt Do Us Part saves families from the doldrums of debt. The series premiered on CNBC on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 10PM and 1AM ET. “We are pleased to have placed this important show with an American broadcaster like CNBC” said Kate Sanagan, Director of Sales – Americas and France. “Gail’s reign as the financial supernanny will surely resonate with millions of Americans who can now watch her on CNBC. It’s an excellent fit for the show.”

Picture Box has hired digital media consultants Jumpwire Media to indentify new revenue streams for Picture Box programs and create a customised digital sales strategy. “While the newer platforms are still not producing revenue at the rate of traditional television, the world of distribution is changing rapidly,” says Kate Sanagan “and we want to make sure we are a part of the new world order. Jumpwire is helping us realise that goal.”

As MIPCOM quickly approaches, Canada’s Picture Box Distribution has been busy closing deals for many of its factual programs. Their lifestyle programs ANNA AND KRISTINA’S GROCERY BAG, KEEPING IT REAL and X-WEIGHTED have all recently found new homes overseas thanks to Picture Box.

ANNA AND KRISTINA’S GROCERY BAG has turned out to be a big hit internationally with sales to MTV Oy in Finland, Canal Plus’ Kuchnia TV in Poland and Ananey Channels in Israel recently inked. The series is also garnering a lot of interest as a format. In addition, recent acquisition KEEPING IT REAL from Patron Entertainment has sold to True Vision in Thailand and MTV Oy in Finland.
X-WEIGHTED FAMILIES is the newest season for the popular Anaid Productions series, and Picture Box has presold it to the UK broadcaster Sky. This latest season focuses on families looking to lose weight as a team. Others buyers to pick up earlier seasons of the series recently are TV4 in Sweden and TV5 in Finland.

“Factual entertainment made in Canada is some of the best in the world” says Kate Sanagan, Director of Sales – Americas and France. “We are thrilled that these high quality programs continue to do extremely well with our international buyers.”

Picture Box is an international television sales agency and distribution company with offices in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada. They will be at MIPCOM in October in the Canadian Pavilion at booth # 02.10.