Sony Pictures Television International Acquires Afterworld

Sony Pictures Television International 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 Emmy Award nominated producer Stan Rogow (Lizzie McGuire, All I Want for Christmas) and renowned multi-platform writer Brent Friedman ("Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars" video game, Dark Skies, Mortal Kombat 2). This marks SPTI's first-ever acquisition of a project for exploitation across all of these platforms, and involves SPTI's distribution, international networks and digital business lines. The announcement was made today by Marie Jacobson, senior vice president, programming and production, international networks, SPTI and Keith LeGoy, executive vice president, distribution, SPTI.

As part of the agreement, SPTI will acquire 130 two-minute episodes to be distributed across TV, web and mobile outlets, creating a ubiquitous brand tailor-made for today's multi-platform consumer. The episodes will be made available as two-minute episodes as well as 13 half-hour episodes for broadcasters.

Afterworld is about life on earth after an inexplicable global event renders technology useless and 99 percent of the population missing. The story follows the adventures of 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 while 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. All of which will contribute to the immersive global experience that is "Afterworld," SPTI's foray into original, digital media.

Jacobson stated, Afterworld is just the property SPTI is actively seeking out to propel our mobile and digital content efforts around the world. 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."

LeGoy 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. "We hope this is the first of many successful ventures together."

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."