MUMBAI: The global distribution arm of FremantleMedia, Fremantle International Distribution (FID) announced the signing of a development deal with award-winning UK independent, Absolutely Productions.

The deal will see Absolutely develop a number of projects in conjunction with FID over the next three years. FID will have a 'first look' distribution option over Absolutely's comedy and drama slates and will have exclusive international distribution rights for TV, home entertainment and formats to all co-created projects.

Fremantle International Distribution head of acquisitions and development Shane Murphy commented, "We are delighted to have secured a deal which will enable us to develop new and exciting programming with the creative minds at Absolutely Productions. FID is currently expanding its catalogue of high-quality comedy and drama and Absolutely, having produced some of the most innovative and memorable comedy and drama since its founding in the 1980s, is a fitting partner for our world-beating catalogue."

Absolutely Productions board member Gordon Kennedy added, "We are delighted that Absolutely and FID have linked up to develop new comedy and entertainment projects over the next few years. It is a really exciting challenge and an important stimulus to our creative thinking and planning to have this sort of relationship with an international distributor. With Fremantle's pre-eminent position as a top international distributor of both formats and finished product, we at Absolutely are very confident that this new alliance will be a tremendous success."

Founded in 1988 by Morwenna Banks, Jack Docherty, Moray Hunter, Pete Baikie, John Sparkes and Gordon Kennedy, Absolutely Productions has been a producer of quality television since 1990, with key titles including the ground-breaking and influential Absolutely, along with the BAFTA award-winning Barry Welsh Is Coming, Trigger Happy TV, Meg And Mog, Pub Quiz, Historyville and Stressed Eric, said an official release.