Netflix has secured the Australian streaming rights to the new Warner Bros series Gotham, in the clearest sign yet that Netflix plans to launch in Australia, most likely in 2015. Netflix will have to wait a year after Nine's broadcast of the series to stream episodes. The deal was finalised as part of a bigger deal between Warner Bros and Netflix for Gotham, covering several markets.
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Comic-book tie-ins
As the US network Fox gears up to launch Gotham, the reboot of the Batman universe that will bring to the screen origin stories for the franchise's major villains, including Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, a second comic-book tie-in has been commissioned. Fox has signed a deal to bring another Warner Bros-DC Comics property to the screen, the comic book Lucifer, in which the "Prince of Hell" resigns his throne and moves to LA to open a piano bar named Lux.
December Media appointment
Television producer Howard Myers has joined the production company December Media as head of non-scripted programming. Myers has held senior production and executive roles including stints with Disney Channel in Britain and Disney ABC International Television in Los Angeles. The appointment flags a push by December Media into the factual realm. The production company's flagship drama, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, is a hit on the ABC and has been sold to the BBC in Britain and PBS in the US.
US to get original Kath & Kim
Six years after the much-loved Australian comedy series Kath & Kim failed to translate for American audiences, the original series has been released in the US. The Australian version of the show – retitled The Original Kath & Kim – has been launched by the streaming platform Hulu. The Hulu deal follows one this year that launched the series on iTunes in Britain, the US and Canada. The first two seasons of the show were previously aired in the US by the cable channel Trio in 2004 and the Sundance Channel in 2006
Problem Child for TV
The US network NBC has commissioned a TV remake of the 1990 feature film Problem Child. The original movie starred John Ritter and Amy Yasbeck as a couple who adopted a child, Junior, played by Michael Oliver, not knowing that he had been adopted and returned to the orphanage more than two dozen times previously. The original film spawned two sequels, Problem Child 2 (1991) and Problem Child 3: Junior in Love (1995) and an animated TV series spin-off.
CSI goes into cyber
Former Beverly Hills 90210 alumnus Luke Perry is the latest big name to sign on to the CSI spin-off CSI: Cyber. The spin-off was originally pitched as a vehicle for Patricia Arquette, who plays Special Agent Avery Ryan. But since filming the pilot, CBS Studios has added James Van Der Beek and Peter MacNicol to the cast. According to reports, Perry will play a former FBI agent who left the cyber crimes unit to take a job as a "futurist" in the private sector. The pilot aired as an episode of CSI earlier this year.
Top recruit signed up
Twenty-three-year-old electrician Johann Wagner, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, has signed a contract with Port Adelaide Football Club after winning the first season of Fox 8's The Recruit. Produced by McGuire Media, The Recruit returns for a second season next year.
TV TWEETS
(Has anyone noticed that these days I only express strong opinions in the middle of the night when I'm tired and have had a wine or two?)
Tim Minchin (actor, night owl) @timminchin
For love, do whatever you have to do.
Joel Madden (singer, philosopher) @JoelMadden
A woman I don't know just walked up to me and gave me a hug. Big Saturday shout-out to all the girls today. Stay cool.
Samantha Armytage (TV presenter, tres cool) @sam-armytage
A dull machete = #WorstGiftEver
Danny Trejo (actor, cutler) @officialDannyT
