Classic Gameshow 'Blockbusters' Revived by Fancy a Flutter and FremantleMedia Alliance
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--02/25/2004--NDS (NASDAQ:NNDS):
Highlights:
-- Fancy a Flutter licenses classic game show Blockbusters as a fixed odds Keno game
-- FremantleMedia joins strategic alliance with Fancy a Flutter; the first partnership of its kind between a major production company and an interactive TV betting service
-- Maximum payout of GBP500,000 on random number draws to 'Gold Run' lucky dip, and a minimum 20p stake
-- More than 17,000 users registered on Fancy a Flutter since its launch in May 2003
Fancy a Flutter, a joint venture between Rank and leading provider of technology solutions NDS, has linked up with FremantleMedia, the largest television production company in Europe, to bring back the classic game show Blockbusters - as a fixed odds keno game.
Fancy a Flutter, the interactive games channel on Sky, is licensing the Blockbuster game show title from FremantleMedia to add to its portfolio of fixed odds games. It's the first time a major production company has linked up with an interactive TV betting service in this way.
The original Blockbusters format was hosted by Bob Holness in the 1980s. Two teams of players competed to make a row of lettered hexagons across the board by answering questions associated with the letter picked. In the new version, players must select between one and 15 numbers and see how many of them match following a random number draw. The more numbers matched, the more money won. The maximum payout on the game is GBP500,000 and players can stake as little as 20p. The game also includes Gold Run, the climax to the original show which is treated in the new version as a lucky dip function. Classic elements like the famous 'Can I have a P please, Bob' are also included.
Fancy a Flutter has attracted more than 17,000 registered users since launch in May 2003 and paid out more than GBP8 million in customer winnings.
Martin Graham-Scott, Fancy a Flutter's Managing Director says: "This important agreement with FremantleMedia underpins our ongoing strategy to work with leading production companies and broadcasters to attract new TV customers. We believe the nostalgic value of Blockbusters will provide an entertaining addition to our menu of fixed odds games which are fun and simple to play."
Melissa Goodwin, Sales & Marketing Manager at FremantleMedia Interactive says: "Fancy a Flutter is a trusted market leader in interactive TV betting, endorsed by Rank's gaming and brand credentials. This represents a strategic opportunity for FremantleMedia to enter the burgeoning TV betting market through this exciting partnership."
About Fancy a Flutter
Fancy a Flutter is a joint venture between gaming company Rank Group Limited and digital technology company NDS. The service launched on Sky Active in May 2003 and subsequently on Sky's Interactive Main Menu. It offers a portfolio of fixed odds numbers games offering a maximum payout of GBP500,000 from a minimum stake of 20p.
About FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia is one of the largest international producers of drama and entertainment programmes in the world, producing more than 260 programmes in over 40 territories a year. The company's international distribution division distributes over 19,000 hours of programmes to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the content business production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, with interests in 23 television channels and 22 radio stations in nine European countries. RTL Group is part of Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's major media markets.
