Network Nine, Warners Bros. renew pact in Australia's largest TV deal ever

Australia's largest single television deal has been renewed by Network Nine and Warner Bros. which will continue to bring viewers a plethora of television series and movies.

According to an article on HollywoodReporter.com, "Total pricetag for five more years of content through 2015: almost $500 million if all escalators kick in and the Hollywood studio's slate continues as hefty as it is today. Competition for Warners' upcoming product was heated because Nine rival the Seven Network, which is currently ranked as the top-rated player Down Under, had made an aggressive counter-offer."

The contract makes certain that Nine has constant access to upcoming series Warners-based TV producers like Jerry Bruckheimer, John Wells, J. J. Abrams, Josh Schwartz, Kevin Williamson and Chuck Lorre as well as the studio's total movie lineup such as the three "Harry Potter" installments, Christopher Nolan's "Inception" with Leonardo DiCaprio and more "Happy Feet."

Despite the country having suffered the worst TV advertising downturn in decades, there is confidence that this pact is the crucial element needed to helping build out their digital and mobile platforms.

"It was a very competitive situation in what is a very series-driven market," said Warner Bros. Int'l. TV president Jeffrey Schlesinger, who flew to Sydney last week to finalize the deal with Nine topper David Gyngell.

Gyngell showed his enthusiasm by noting that the completion of the deal will bring new digital channels, as well as exclusivities and revenue-sharing.