It’s fair to say that the past twelve months has not been as successful for Australian producers when it comes to exporting local shows, be it in format or finished product. In previous years high-profile hits such as comedy show Thank God You’re Here and sitcom Kath and Kim were both remade by major US networks. There was also a host of factual product such as Border Security that easily made the leap overseas and perennial sellers like sunny soap Home and Away that kept adding territories to its long list. But while there have been no high-profile pick ups yet this year, Australian TV is far from out for the count. “What’s been the renaissance of the last two years or so has been Australian drama, it’s doing very well,” says Cathy Payne, chief executive of Southern Star International, newly relocated to London after the group’s purchase by Dutch-based Endemol. “We have a fantastic slate of drama at the moment such as those dramas we produce like Rush which has really done exceptionally well for us.” Payne says international buyers love the traditional police dramas that come out of Australia – and have been a staple on Australian TV for fifty years – but that Network Ten’s Rush is doing particularly well. “They’ve always done well but Rush has a broader audience because its got a younger feel to it, and buyers have liked it around the globe.” FremantleMedia Enterprises is also backing Aussie scripted drama after acquiring international rights to teen drama Slide. An edgy coming-of-age drama about five teenagers negotiating the path to adulthood, Slide will bow with an online prequel followed by normal screening on pay TV platform Foxtel next April, an unusual and untried debut. “Australia is home to some of the world’s best producers of contemporary drama and while we’ve had a solid presence there over the years, we’re looking to get even more involved in the market through partnerships and investments,” said FME global CEO David Ellender FME has also sold series three of the AFI-nominated, brothel-set drama Satisfaction, a sometimes controversial drama that was also commissioned for Foxtel, to HBO Latin America. The risque show has now sold to more than 70 countries across its three series with a possible fourth outing in the works. Southern Star also has Seven Network’s surprise hit Packed to the Rafters which continues to rate solidly at home drawing a regular audience of two million; the show, about empty nesters who suddenly find their kids returning has international resonance. “You can look at it and understand why it works so well in its own market but it’s a story where you could replicate that drama yourself in any market,” says Payne. “The drama about a family and that whole idea of kids living at home longer is a worldwide phenomenon.” Rafters has sold to Belgium, across the pond to New Zealand where it is rating well, South Africa, Ireland, Norway, Eastern Europe and Payne says some big European markets will be announced very soon. Payne is launching Rescue: Special Operations at this market and has high hopes for that with an expectation that by the time MIPCOM comes around the Aussie rescue drama will have announced the second series, further boosting its sales potential. Another Aussie hit that will debut at this Mipcom will be the panel comedy Talkin’ Bout Your Generation which pits baby boomers, Generation Xers and Generations Yers against each other with multi-generational questions and jibes. Beverly McGarvey from Network Ten who screen the series says it has attracted a lot of international attention and she would hope to see it translate into sales. “ITV Studios is launching Generation at this market and we would have very high hopes that it is the sort of format that will travel, particularly in the UK,” McGarvey said. “You know the panel comedy show is a real staple of BBC 4 and Channel 2 and it’s an interesting twist on the comedy-panel format.” For Beyond Distribution it has not had as much interest in drama, but has seen strong interest in factual entertainment and children’s programming, a trend that looks set to continue at this market. “Mythbusters is our perennial bestseller and has sold consistently more than any other title for us,” says Joanne Azzopardi, vice president sales – Australasia for Beyond. “There is a real thirst in the world marketplace for factual entertainment with franchise elements. Mythbusters, whilst it is a male-skewed show, also has broader family appeal and can play in family slots.” In the kids area, alongside fares such as Snake Tales and The Wiggles Movie, the other hit for Beyond is Backyard Science. “It has been very successful with both Pay TV and Free TV audiences around the world,” says Azzopardi. “We have taken care to ensure this series is appealing and relevant to Australian audiences as it is to French audiences or American audiences or Chinese audiences. We’ve also produced the series in such a way that it can be easily re-versioned for local audiences worldwide.” Reflecting what is happening in its ratings, multicultural broadcaster SBS is serving up a wealth of food offerings such as newbie hit My Family Feast as well as the strong interest in the Australian Aboriginal documentary First Australians, a beautifully shot and poignant look at Australia’s indigenous population. But as proof that it is not only serious fare and drama that is hot, SBS has a surprise hit on its hands. “We have a little gem of a documentary called Best Undressed and it’s about Miss Nude Australia and it’s selling like hotcakes in Scandinavia,” laughs Kristin Burgham, SBS’s manager content sales and distribution.