FremantleMedia Australia
Encyclopedia
FremantleMedia Australia is the Australian arm of FremantleMedia
and was formed in 2006 by the merger of two great names in Australian television industry - Crackerjack Productions
and Grundy Television, who had been both acquired by FremantleMedia.
Primary creator and producer of original comedy programming in Australia, Crackerjack was a renowned boutique production company operating since the early 90s. Its successes include Comedy Inc.
, The Chaser Decides
, So Fresh
, Australia's Brainiest Kid and The Biggest Loser Australia.
Grundy was founded by Reg Grundy
, its first production being Wheel of Fortune
in 1959. From its small beginnings it became the largest privately owned Australian producer and distributor of television programmes both domestically and internationally.
Grundy's first success in the serial drama genre came during the 1970s with favourites The Young Doctors
, The Restless Years
, Sons And Daughters
and Prisoner
, which grew into a worldwide cult hit. Aired on Network Ten
since 1986, Neighbours
continues to prove a hit, ranking No. 1 in its time slot for key young adult target groups. Neighbours was the highest rated daytime drama series in the UK in 2007, with audiences over 3 million viewers. Neighbours moved to broadcaster Channel Five
in the UK in February 2008 and is the highest rated daytime show for the broadcaster.
FremantleMedia Australia remains the market leader with shows such as the hugely popular MasterChef Australia
, So You Think You Can Dance Australia
, Australia's Got Talent
and The X Factor, The Farmer Wants a Wife
and original formats such as The Gift
and Choir of Hard Knocks (which won Most Outstanding Factual Series at the 2008 Logie Awards. FremantleMedia Australia is also the market leader in the creation and production of digital media content.
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
and was formed in 2006 by the merger of two great names in Australian television industry - Crackerjack Productions
Crackerjack Productions
Crackerjack Productions is an Australian independent television production company headed by brothers Mark and Carl Fennessy....
and Grundy Television, who had been both acquired by FremantleMedia.
Primary creator and producer of original comedy programming in Australia, Crackerjack was a renowned boutique production company operating since the early 90s. Its successes include Comedy Inc.
Comedy Inc.
Comedy Inc. was an Australian sketch comedy television series, which ran on the Nine Network from 1 February 2003 to 26 December 2007. The series was produced by Crackerjack Productions. It first premiered in February 2003 in the new wave of Australian sketch comedy shows being launched across the...
, The Chaser Decides
The Chaser Decides
The Chaser Decides is a Logie Award-winning Australian political satire based comedy program produced by The Chaser. The show provides commentary on Australian federal elections and has been broadcast in 2001, 2004 and 2007 on ABC TV...
, So Fresh
So Fresh
So Fresh is a compilation album currently produced and skewed by Sony Music Australia that is only available in Australia. It is released every three months and is usually focused with a mixture of tracks recorded by artists signed to Sony and Universal Music Australia...
, Australia's Brainiest Kid and The Biggest Loser Australia.
Grundy was founded by Reg Grundy
Reg Grundy
Reginald Roy "Reg" Grundy, AC, OBE is one of the most successful Australian entrepreneurs, and media and television moguls of his generation.He was the only child born to Roy Grundy and Lillian Lees...
, its first production being Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show)
Wheel of Fortune was an Australian television game show produced by Grundy Television. The programme aired on the Seven Network from 1981 to 2004 and November 2005 to July 2006, and is mostly based on the same general format as the original US version of the programme...
in 1959. From its small beginnings it became the largest privately owned Australian producer and distributor of television programmes both domestically and internationally.
Grundy's first success in the serial drama genre came during the 1970s with favourites The Young Doctors
The Young Doctors
The Young Doctors is an Australian early evening soap opera. The series was set in the fictional Albert Memorial hospital and primarily concerned with romances between younger members of the hospital staff, screened on the Nine Network from Monday, 8 November 1976 until Wednesday, 30 March...
, The Restless Years
The Restless Years
The Restless Years is an Australian soap opera which followed the lives of several Sydney school-leavers and young adults. It was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for Network Ten. It debuted December 1977 and ran until late 1981. It was not renewed by the network due to declining ratings...
, Sons And Daughters
Sons and Daughters (Australian TV series)
Sons and Daughters was a Logie Award winning Australian soap opera created by Reg Watson and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation between 1981 and 1987. The first episode aired in December 1981, during the Christmas/New Year non-ratings period, and the official broadcast date of the final...
and Prisoner
Prisoner (TV series)
Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera which was set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison. The series was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and ran on Network Ten for 692 episodes from 27 February 1979 to 11 December 1986.The series was inspired by the 1970s...
, which grew into a worldwide cult hit. Aired on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
since 1986, Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
continues to prove a hit, ranking No. 1 in its time slot for key young adult target groups. Neighbours was the highest rated daytime drama series in the UK in 2007, with audiences over 3 million viewers. Neighbours moved to broadcaster Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
in the UK in February 2008 and is the highest rated daytime show for the broadcaster.
FremantleMedia Australia remains the market leader with shows such as the hugely popular MasterChef Australia
Masterchef Australia
MasterChef Australia is a Logie award winning Australian competitive cooking game show based on the original British MasterChef. It is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and screens on Network Ten. Restaurateur and chef Gary Mehigan, chef George Calombaris and food critic Matt Preston serve as...
, So You Think You Can Dance Australia
So You Think You Can Dance Australia
So You Think You Can Dance Australia was an Australian version of the American reality dance-off series So You Think You Can Dance. The show is hosted by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, with Jason Coleman, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe acting as the judges....
, Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent
Australia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show which premiered on 18 February 2007 on the Seven Network. The show was based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell...
and The X Factor, The Farmer Wants a Wife
The Farmer Wants a Wife (Australian TV series)
The Farmer Wants a Wife is an Australian reality television series. Hosted by Getaway presenter Natalie Gruzlewski, the first six-episode series commenced on the Nine Network on 24 October 2007. Another 3 series have since aired, with Series 4 coming to an end in November 2009...
and original formats such as The Gift
The Gift (TV series)
The Gift is an Australian observational documentary series that aired on the Nine Network at , Thursdays. It is narrated by 60 Minutes journalist Tara Brown.The Gift explores the stories and importance of organ donation in Australia...
and Choir of Hard Knocks (which won Most Outstanding Factual Series at the 2008 Logie Awards. FremantleMedia Australia is also the market leader in the creation and production of digital media content.
Current Programmes
- NeighboursNeighboursNeighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
(1985–Present) - The X Factor (2005, 2010–Present)
- MasterChef AustraliaMasterchef AustraliaMasterChef Australia is a Logie award winning Australian competitive cooking game show based on the original British MasterChef. It is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and screens on Network Ten. Restaurateur and chef Gary Mehigan, chef George Calombaris and food critic Matt Preston serve as...
(2009–Present) - Australia's Got TalentAustralia's Got TalentAustralia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show which premiered on 18 February 2007 on the Seven Network. The show was based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell...
(2007–Present) - Project Runway AustraliaProject Runway AustraliaProject Runway Australia is a reality television show based on Project Runway wherein fashion Designers compete by making specific garments for specific challenges. All contestants appearing on the show are designers residing in Australia. The show features Megan Gale as the host, and Kirrily...
(2008–Present) - Grand Designs AustraliaGrand Designs AustraliaGrand Designs Australia is an Australian spin-off of the British series. The show documents people who attempt to build a custom-designed house and the challenges they face. It is aired on the The LifeStyle Channel and is hosted by architect, Peter Maddison...
(2011–Present) - The Farmer Wants a WifeThe Farmer Wants a Wife (Australian TV series)The Farmer Wants a Wife is an Australian reality television series. Hosted by Getaway presenter Natalie Gruzlewski, the first six-episode series commenced on the Nine Network on 24 October 2007. Another 3 series have since aired, with Series 4 coming to an end in November 2009...
(2007–Present) - The GiftThe Gift (TV series)The Gift is an Australian observational documentary series that aired on the Nine Network at , Thursdays. It is narrated by 60 Minutes journalist Tara Brown.The Gift explores the stories and importance of organ donation in Australia...
(2007–Present) - Double TakeDouble Take (TV series)Double Take is an Australian sketch comedy series which premiered on the Seven Network on 23 July 2009. The first series of the show ended in 24 September 2009.-Cast:* Paul McCarthy* Helen Dallimore* Amanda Bishop* Darren Weller* Robin Goldsworthy...
(2009–Present)
Former Programmes
- So You Think You Can Dance AustraliaSo You Think You Can Dance AustraliaSo You Think You Can Dance Australia was an Australian version of the American reality dance-off series So You Think You Can Dance. The show is hosted by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, with Jason Coleman, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe acting as the judges....
(2008–2010) - Australian IdolAustralian IdolAustralian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
(2003–2009) - Australia's Most WantedAustralia's Most WantedAustralia's Most Wanted was a television program based on the format made popular by America's Most Wanted. It screened on the Seven Network from 1989 until 1999....
(1989–1999) - Class of '74 (1975)
- Bert's Family FeudBert's Family FeudBert's Family Feud was the third Australian version of the game show Family Feud. The series was produced by Grundy Television in conjunction with FremantleMedia. It was broadcast on the Nine Network and hosted by Bert Newton...
(2006–2007) - Burgo's Catch PhraseBurgo's Catch PhraseBurgo's Catch Phrase was an Australian game show that ran between 1997 and 2003, produced by Southern Star Group for the Nine Network. The show was based on the British and American versions of the game, and was originally known as simply Catch Phrase until renamed in honour of its host...
(2002–2003) - Glenview HighGlenview HighGlenview High is an Australian television drama series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Seven Network between 1977 and 1978.-Story:...
(1977–1979) - It's a KnockoutIt's a KnockoutIt's a Knockout was adapted from the French show Intervilles. It ran between from 7 August 1966 to 25 December 1988 on BBC1, 28 May 1990 on ITV, 3 August 1991 to 24 December 1994 on S4C and from 3 September 1999 to 6 January 2001 on Channel 5, produced by Richard Hearsey and Ronin Entertainment...
(1985–1987) - Nerds FCNerds FCNerds FC is an Australian television documentary featuring soccer. The first series of the show was aired as a lead-in for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on the Special Broadcasting Service network that featured coverage of the Australian national soccer team....
(2006–2007) - Perfect MatchPerfect Match (Australian game show)Perfect Match is an Australian dating game show based on the format of The Dating Game. Perfect Match was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation.It originally aired on Network Ten for 30 minutes most weekdays from 5:30pm between 1984 and 1989...
(1984–1989) - PrisonerPrisoner (TV series)Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera which was set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison. The series was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and ran on Network Ten for 692 episodes from 27 February 1979 to 11 December 1986.The series was inspired by the 1970s...
(1979–1986) - Richmond HillRichmond Hill (TV series)Richmond Hill was an Australian television soap opera made in 1988 by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Ten Network. It was devised by Reg Watson who also created Neighbours...
(1988) - $ale of the CenturySale of the CenturySale of the Century is a television game show format that has been screened in several countries in various incarnations since 1969. The show found its biggest success in Australia, where it aired weeknights from 1980 to 2001...
(1980–2001) - Temptation (2005–2009)
- Secret ValleySecret ValleySecret Valley was an Australian children's television adventure series from 1980 made by the Grundy Organisation and first shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
(1984) - Sons and DaughtersSons and Daughters (Australian TV series)Sons and Daughters was a Logie Award winning Australian soap opera created by Reg Watson and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation between 1981 and 1987. The first episode aired in December 1981, during the Christmas/New Year non-ratings period, and the official broadcast date of the final...
(1982–1987) - The Price Is RightThe Price Is Right (Australian game show)The Price is Right was a television game show that has been produced in a number of different formats in Australia.-Original format:Two regional versions based on the original 1950s US format aired nearly concurrently - one aired on ATN-7 in Sydney, hosted by Bruce Beeby and Keith Walshe from...
(1960s-1980s, 1992–1998, 2003–2005) - The Restless YearsThe Restless YearsThe Restless Years is an Australian soap opera which followed the lives of several Sydney school-leavers and young adults. It was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for Network Ten. It debuted December 1977 and ran until late 1981. It was not renewed by the network due to declining ratings...
(1977–1982) - The Young DoctorsThe Young DoctorsThe Young Doctors is an Australian early evening soap opera. The series was set in the fictional Albert Memorial hospital and primarily concerned with romances between younger members of the hospital staff, screened on the Nine Network from Monday, 8 November 1976 until Wednesday, 30 March...
(1976–1983) - Three on a MatchThree on a Match (game show)Three on a Match was an American television game show created by Bob Stewart that ran on NBC from August 2, 1971 to June 28, 1974 on its daytime schedule...
(1975) - Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune (Australian game show)Wheel of Fortune was an Australian television game show produced by Grundy Television. The programme aired on the Seven Network from 1981 to 2004 and November 2005 to July 2006, and is mostly based on the same general format as the original US version of the programme...
(1981–2008) - CNNNN (2002–2003)
- The Chaser DecidesThe Chaser DecidesThe Chaser Decides is a Logie Award-winning Australian political satire based comedy program produced by The Chaser. The show provides commentary on Australian federal elections and has been broadcast in 2001, 2004 and 2007 on ABC TV...
(2001) - Comedy Inc.Comedy Inc.Comedy Inc. was an Australian sketch comedy television series, which ran on the Nine Network from 1 February 2003 to 26 December 2007. The series was produced by Crackerjack Productions. It first premiered in February 2003 in the new wave of Australian sketch comedy shows being launched across the...
(2003–2007) - The Biggest Loser Australia (2006–2010)
- Australia's Brainiest Kid (2004–2006)
- So FreshSo FreshSo Fresh is a compilation album currently produced and skewed by Sony Music Australia that is only available in Australia. It is released every three months and is usually focused with a mixture of tracks recorded by artists signed to Sony and Universal Music Australia...
(2002–2006) - The KingThe King (2007 film)The King: The Story of Graham Kennedy is an Australian telemovie examining the life of Australian entertainer Graham Kennedy.Produced in Australia by the Sydney based independent production company Crackerjack Productions for TV1 and the Nine Network, The King was first shown on 20 May 2007 on TV1...
(2007 Telemovie) - Ultimate School MusicalUltimate School MusicalUltimate School Musical is a Fox8 reality television programme in Australia which features ordinary teenagers from a school attempting to put on a music production to a professional standard in just six weeks.-Australia:...
(2008) - The Apprentice Australia (2009)
- Comedy SlapdownComedy SlapdownComedy Slapdown is an Australian television improvised comedy program produced by FremantleMedia, that first aired on The Comedy Channel from November 8, 2008 at 7:30pm. The show is hosted by H.G...
(2008) - As the Bell RingsAs the Bell Rings (Australia)As the Bell Rings is a Disney Channel original Interstitial program. The format is a selection of short live-action comedy sequences. It is an Australian adaption of the Disney Channel Italy Original Series Quelli dell'intervallo....
(2007–2011) - NewstopiaNewstopiaNewstopia is an Australian half-hour satirical comedy programme hosted by Shaun Micallef. The first series premiered at on SBS TV on 10 October 2007 and concluded on 3 December 2007. A second season began on 27 February 2008 and concluded on 30 April 2008. A third season of the show screened from...
(2007–2008) - 2010 ARIA AwardsARIA Music Awards of 2010The 24th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards are a series of award ceremonies which included the 2010 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine Arts Awards and ARIA Awards. The latter ceremony took place on 7 November at the Sydney Opera House and was...
(2010)
Digital Media
- Nacho's Road Trip (2010)
- Macca's Chef (2010)
- MySpace Road TourMySpace Road TourThe MySpace Road Tour is an original online reality format created and produced for MySpace Australia by production company FremantleMedia...
(2008) - Australian IdolAustralian IdolAustralian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
Online (2006–2009) - So You Think You Can Dance AustraliaSo You Think You Can Dance AustraliaSo You Think You Can Dance Australia was an Australian version of the American reality dance-off series So You Think You Can Dance. The show is hosted by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, with Jason Coleman, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe acting as the judges....
Online (2008–2010) - The Biggest Loser Australia Online (2008–2010)
- Nerds FCNerds FCNerds FC is an Australian television documentary featuring soccer. The first series of the show was aired as a lead-in for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on the Special Broadcasting Service network that featured coverage of the Australian national soccer team....
Online (2006–2007) - The Movie ShowThe Movie ShowThe Movie Show is an Australian film review program that airs on SBS TV. Its history falls into three parts.-Original format:The original format, which ran from 30 October 1986 to 12 May 2004, had two presenters, David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz. Stratton and Pomeranz left for the ABC in early...
Online (2007) - The Farmer Wants a WifeThe Farmer Wants a Wife (Australian TV series)The Farmer Wants a Wife is an Australian reality television series. Hosted by Getaway presenter Natalie Gruzlewski, the first six-episode series commenced on the Nine Network on 24 October 2007. Another 3 series have since aired, with Series 4 coming to an end in November 2009...
Online (2007–Present) - The X Factor Online (2010–Present)
- Australia's Got TalentAustralia's Got TalentAustralia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show which premiered on 18 February 2007 on the Seven Network. The show was based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell...
Online (2007–Present)