Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has signed a landmark agreement to exclusively acquire all international television, Internet, digital sell-through, gaming and mobile rights to AFTERWORLD, a futuristic 2.5D animated episodic property from Stan Rogow (LIZZIE MCGUIRE, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS) and multiplatform writer Brent Friedman (COMMAND & CONQUER: TIBERIUM WARS videogame, DARK SKIES, MORTAL KOMBAT 2).
This is SPTI's first-ever acquisition of a project for exploitation across all of these platforms. The deal is for 130 two-minute episodes to be distributed across TV, web and mobile outlets. The episodes will also be made available as 13 half-hour episodes for broadcasters.
AFTERWORLD is about life on Earth after an inexplicable global event renders technology useless and 99% of the population missing. The story follows Russell Shoemaker, who wakes up in New York after this event and is compelled to walk to Seattle in the faint hope that his wife and child have survived. Russell pieces together the complex mystery behind the global event as he encountering survivors rebuilding society in strange and surprising ways.
Dedicated web content will be housed on Afterworld.tv, as will archived back episodes, daily journal entries, community blogs, interactive content applications and online games.
"AFTERWORLD is just the property SPTI is actively seeking out to propel our mobile and digital content efforts around the world," said by Marie Jacobson, svp, programming and production, international networks, SPTI. "Stan and Brent have brought us a concept tailor-made for today's digital consumer. It's fresh and relevant and exactly what our global partners expect from Sony. This is an excellent opportunity for SPTI to cross-stream content across our international mobile, digital and cable outlets and an ideal multi-platform offering for global and regional sponsors."
Keith LeGoy, evp, distribution, SPTI, added, "We are thrilled to be able to offer the opportunity to partner with broadcasters, mobile and online players, and advertisers to bring this exciting multi-platform property to the world. AFTERWORLD offers unique flexibility in programming across television, digital, mobile and online arenas, and viewers will be drawn deeper into the AFTERWORLD experience."
"We are thrilled to have Sony as our partner and have great confidence in the studio's ability to distribute the show across every potential platform," Rogow said.
Friedman added, "As much as I've enjoyed working in all the conventional mediums, I believe we have created something that represents a new form of content -- the online convergence of television and video games. Hopefully, AFTERWORLD will not only become appointment viewing, but an immersive, interactive experience that warrants spending many hours in our digital sandbox."
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of Sony Pictures Entertainment's feature films and television programming to television outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Russia, Spain and the U.K.; SPTI oversees production in nine regions. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the company's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with approximately 40 networks in more than 130 countries reaching some 298 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Ent. company.
Stan Rogow Prods has produced some of the most successful series targeted at the youth audience, including The Disney Channel's LIZZIE MCGUIRE, and Discovery/Kids' DARCY'S WILD LIFE and FLIGHT 29 DOWN. The long list of credits also include NBC's SHANNON'S DEAL, the CBS series, MIDDLE AGES and SOUTH OF SUNSET and the UPN series, NOWHERE MAN.
Electric Farm Ent. is a digital studio for the development of intellectual properties across multiple platforms. The company principals are Rogow, Friedman and Jeff Sagansky.
