Australian broadcaster Seven Network and key executives who led Maverick Television, a U.K. independent television production company, announced on March 5 the formation of a new television production company, 7Wonder.
Commenting, Tim Worner, CEO of Seven West Media, said: “Seven West Media is the leading content company in Australia with some of the most successful brands and franchises. The Seven Network is recognised as the leader in Australian produced television programming. Our success is built on our ability to create and own compelling content, and to deliver that content to the biggest audiences across our media platforms. 7Wonder underlines a key part of our strategy for today and in the future: the expansion of our presence in the production of content.”
7Wonder will focus on the creation of new television programmes and formats — initially for the United Kingdom television market — and is a joint venture between Seven, Alexandra Fraser, Liza Abbott and Simon Ellse. Fraser was joint CEO at Maverick Television, responsible for the company’s creative output, for nearly two decades. Before joining Maverick, Abbott was a key production executive at ITV in the United Kingdom.
The formation of 7Wonder builds on Seven’s creation and production of highly successful programming, including Home and Away, My Kitchen Rules, Border Security, A Place To Call Home, House Rules and Packed to the Rafters. It also follows the company’s formation of the new 7Beyond joint venture with Beyond International which focuses on the creation and development of new programmes and formats for the United States television market. Seven’s original formats and produced programmes are sold to more than 130 markets around the world.
Commenting, Brad Lyons, Seven’s Director of Production, said: “Seven is recognised as a leader in the development and production of Australian television. We are driving our own future with the programmes and content we create and leverage, and we are making deliberate and considered moves into new opportunities not only for our own primary market in Australia but increasingly in international markets.”
“7Wonder forms a key element in our plans. And, we couldn’t be happier to be joining with people we have known and regarded highly over a number of years. Alex and Liza have a terrific track record of success. They have passion, ideas and at Maverick ran a great business. We’re looking forward to working with them in the next phase of their careers in this new joint venture as we focus on the growing U.K. market.”
