Exactly a week ago I broke the news exclusively RIGHT HERE that M-Net has officially acquired the broadcasting rights to Steven Spielberg's highly-anticipated upcoming new TV drama Terra Nova that will be starting towards the end of the year in America and on M-Net in early 2012.
Terra Nova is a family drama that follows the Shannon family from 2149 who travels back in time 85 million years to prehistoric Earth, gets stuck there and has to build a new society amidst (dangerous) dinosaurs. Before I revealed the Terra Nova news, I asked the pay broadcaster about the specifics of snagging the biggest new (and most expensive) TV show for a follow-up story, and here is what M-Net says.
M-Net: Terra Nova has created an incredible amount of hype with the names, locations and money Fox has incorporated into the production. M-Net is always excited to hear about these fantastic shows. As with any series, M-Net acquisitions goes through a strenuous and rigorous process to secure the rights to bring an international series to M-Net viewers.
When did M-Net decide that Terra Nova was something M-Net wants and is going to pursue?
M-Net is always interested in the best content any studio produces. Factors such as production costs, the excellent cast and the success of Steven Spielberg's previous work on M-Net made it a simple decision to pursue Terra Nova.
Terra Nova was supposed to start in May with its first 2 episodes and were then moved in America to late 2011. What can M-Net share from behind the scenes regarding what happened in the process to get the show?
Fox Broadcasting Company initially planned to show episode one immediately after the American Idol season finale in May as a teaser, with the rest of the series to follow after production was complete. It was however eventually decided that the series would run without any interruption. On that note, M-Net keeps a close eye on all of our international series when it comes to starting dates, as well as any hiatus a series may go on. American audiences are used to the idea of a series going on a break half way through a season, where the South African audience much prefers watching a season uninterrupted. We take measures to pre-empt the studios continuously changing dates, to ensuring our subscribers get an uninterrupted season. Terra Nova is no exception.
Why is M-Net adding this specific show to the line-up?
The Magic! It isn't just a slogan. M-Net fills its slots with the biggest, freshest, most entertaining and ground breaking shows. Terra Nova, with [a production cost of ] $4 million per episode, exotic locations, a unique concept, fantastic cast and brilliant writers, directors and producers, measures highly on our ''entertainment value-meter''.
What's M-Net's hopes for Terra Nova?
Our hope is always that subscribers enjoy every episode. We are here to make available brilliant content. As with every series we want viewers at home to get excited about each twist and turn the story takes, to choose favourite characters, and even check our Facebook and Twitter for inside info. We want M-Netters to get a viewing experience which is personal, as well as an interactive one with other subscribers and the channel itself.
