Shine Intl. & FOX Intl Channels signs worldwide deal for 'The Bridge'

Shine International and FOX International Channels (FIC) today announce the two have struck a global deal for ‘The Bridge’. The deal grants FIC first-window pay broadcast rights across the group’s international footprint, and enters the entities into a co-financing partnership. As announced earlier this month, ‘The Bridge’ was pick-up to series by FX for a 2013 debut.

The deal was brokered at the script level between Nadine Nohr, CEO of Shine International and FIC’s Global Scripted Programming team. It marks the first international deal for the highly anticipated new drama from Writer/Producers Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid.

‘The Bridge’ is set to premiere across FIC’s entertainment channel portfolio of 200 Pay-TV networks to audiences in 120 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa following the series launch on FX in July 2013.

“We can’t wait to turn ‘The Bridge’ into the biggest new worldwide hit,” said Hernan Lopez, President & CEO, FIC. Added Sharon Tal Yguado, EVP, Global Scripted Programming & Original Development, FIC: “We've been excited and interested in ‘The Bridge’ since we identified the format more than a year ago. It is rare to come across a project that bucks convention by marrying provocative themes with grounded story telling and characters. We are thrilled to be partnering with Shine International and working with Shine America and FX on this outstanding drama.”

Nadine Nohr, CEO of Shine International said, “We are delighted to confirm FIC as the first international broadcast partner for ‘The Bridge’. This distinctive series places the brilliant central conceit against the unique setting and sociopolitical context of the Mexican-U.S. border beautifully allowing a new and extraordinary story to unfold. We are proud to represent such an ambitious and riveting drama.” Shine Group CEO, Alex Mahon added “FIC have rightly earned an exceptional reputation for championing and showcasing intelligent, ambitious dramas and as such we are delighted to partner with them on The Bridge.”

Starring Academy Award Nominee Demián Bichir and Diane Kruger, ‘The Bridge’ is a co-production of Shine America and FX Productions. Set on the border between El Paso and Juarez, ‘The Bridge’ centers on two detectives, one from the United States and one from Mexico, who must work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. Executive Producers Meredith Stiehm (Homeland) and novelist and television writer/producer Elwood Reid adapted ‘The Bridge’ for American television from the international hit series ‘Bron’, which was set on the border of Denmark and Sweden. ‘Bron’ was produced by Shine Group’s Filmlance and Denmark’s Nimbus Film Production.

The Bridge co-stars are Ted Levine, Annabeth Gish and Thomas M. Wright and Matthew Lillard guest stars. Gerardo Naranjo (Miss Bala) directed the pilot episode. Executive Producers of The Bridge are Shine America’s Carolyn G. Bernstein and Filmlance’s Lars Blomgren.