FremantleMedia sells Bindi's Bootcamp to Discovery Kids in Asia

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, has announced its first international sale of the Australian TV wildlife game show Bindi‘s Bootcamp, to the Asian feeds of children‘s entertainment and education channel Discovery Kids.

Produced by FremantleMedia Australia in association with Sydney-based Sticky Pictures, under commission from Australian national broadcaster ABC, the series made its debut in July this year on ABC3, and became an instant hit with young Aussie viewers.

Hosted by Bindi Irwin and filmed at Australia Zoo in Queensland, Bindi‘s Bootcamp offers young adventurers the chance to experience close-up wildlife encounters, endure physical and mental challenges, and have lots of messy fun along the way. The contestants start as animal lovers and, if they have what it takes to pass Bindi‘s challenges, leave as ‘Wildlife Warriors‘.

Bindi‘s Bootcamp was the first new property to come from FME‘s partnership with Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin, and Australia Zoo. The partnership sees FME handle all brand licensing and distribution rights to Bindi‘s Bootcamp.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific VP Programming Charmaine Kwan said, "Discovery has a long-standing relationship with the Irwin family. We are extremely pleased to have Bindi back on Discovery Kids, our new channel which ignites the natural curiosity of kids through programmes that explore adventure, nature, science, wildlife, history and technology."

FME Asia Pacific CEO Jon Penn said: "We have been thrilled with the quality of this uniquely Australian format and its engaging and talented young star Bindi Irwin, not to mention its ratings success on ABC3.

"This new deal with Discovery Kids in Asia shows that there is strong demand in markets outside Australia for original live-action kids‘ entertainment, and that Bindi‘s Bootcamp is a unique and exciting Australian leader in this genre."