RDFR launches brand new programming from betty tv and secures raft of international sales

07 October 2009

RDF Rights (RDFR), part of the RDF Media Group has secured a host of international sales for several titles from betty tv, following the exclusive first look deal that was signed last year. RDFR is also delighted to be showcasing brand new betty titles at the market this autumn.

RDFR brings Hotel Rescue to the international market for the first time this week. The 6 x 60’ series began on Channel 4 last week and follows Ruth Watson as she returns after the success of Country House Rescue, to tackle the nation’s failing hotels. An award-winning hotelier and food writer, Ruth is using her expertise to transform the efforts of new hoteliers as they set up on their own. From a run-down 32-bedroom hotel to a couple attempting to create a boutique Bed & Breakfast with no hospitality experience, Ruth has her work cut out.

The Big Food Fight also makes its market debut this autumn, available as finished episodes or as a half hour or hour long format, The Big Food Fight is a brand new food quiz for Channel 4. In each show, a well known food personality takes the role of team-captain, challenging resident captain Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (River Cottage), in a bid to discover who knows the most about all things edible.

Living Channel NZ Ltd has picked up four of betty’s productions for New Zealand; Adopt Me Please (3 x 60’ for Channel 4), Shopping is my Life (4 x 60’ for BBC Three) and series one and two of Country House Rescue (6 x 60’ for Channel 4), plus a Country House Rescue revisits series for series one. Spafax Airline Network has also bought Country House Rescue for their in-flight catalogue.

UKTV (UK and Eire) has picked up both Addicted to Boob Jobs (1 x 60’ for BBC Three) and Desperately Hungry Housewives (1 x 60’ for BBC One). Focus TV, has also acquired Addicted to Boob Jobs for German speaking Europe.

In addition, XYZ Entertainment in Australia has acquired both Adopt Me Please and Addicted to Boob Jobs. DBS Satellites Services in Israel and TV Ontario for English speaking Canada has also bought Adopt Me Please.

RDFR inked an exclusive two-year development deal with betty last year. RDFR represents all new betty productions internationally, in all genres and all media. The deal also includes a first-look format arrangement with RDF USA in America.

betty was launched in 2001 by Creative Director Liz Warner, former Channel 4 Commissioning Editor for Features and Events, responsible for programmes including Big Brother, Grand Designs, and Location, Location, Location. Andrew Conrad, former MD of Jamie Oliver indie Fresh One, and Bafta-winning executive producer (Jamie’s School Dinners and Jamie’s Kitchen) joined betty in 2006 as Managing Director.