News

FremantleMedia launches new gaming business - announcing deals with NextGen Gaming and Electracade

posted 18 September 2008

FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, announces deals with NextGen and Electracade, two leading developers of cash prize based online games. The new FremantleMedia Gaming division will develop cash prize games through the new partnerships, licensing on direct to gaming operators.

NextGen and Electracade will now develop games around FremantleMedia's stable of top game shows, including Price is Right, Play Your Cards Right, Blankety Blank, and Sale of the Century. Further titles will be released later in the year. The deals with NextGen and Electracade are the first to be secured by FremantleMedia Gaming, a new business unit led by Paul Kanareck, Head of FremantleMedia Ventures.

Paul Kanareck, Head of FremantleMedia Ventures, said: "These new deals enable FremantleMedia to create a more consistent experience across its brands. There is a huge demand for gaming online so this is a natural step. Our remit is to explore opportunities further up the value chain. Online gaming offers one of the few digital models to combine mass audience usage with commercial returns. We are working closely with FremantleMedia Enterprises on this initiative, a deliberate move to expand our licensing capability."

David Ellender, Chief Executive Officer of FremantleMedia Enterprises, said: "The games market is an exciting place for entertainment rights holders. This is a chance to completely refresh our approach and give new life to our brands, in the face of changing technology and changing consumer behavior. We are building FremantleMedia into a bigger, broader entertainment company and are always looking for opportunities to scale up the business. Developing a greater presence and capability in gaming is a good demonstration of that."