The tyke market: Australia

Outriders

By MICHAELA BOLAND

Producers: Southern Star and NDF for Channel 9, Germany's Kika Channel and ARD. Key creatives --producer and co-exec producer is Noel Price with NDF's Hermann Florin and Channel 9's Kris Noble. Directors, Kevin Dobson and Russell Burton

Key cast: Kate Raison, and newcomers Luise Helm, Abbie Cornish, Oliver Ackland, Simon Scarlett and Mark Furze

Format: Twenty-six 30-minute-episode series broken into six different mystery thrillers

Lensed in Berlin and Sydney, the story follows 16-year-old German girl Julia who is living in Berlin. After her mother's death, she sets out to visit her aunt (Kate Raison) who lives on a horse property -- called Outriders -- in Sydney.

On the farm nestled close to Sydney's rugged northern surf beaches, Julia hooks up with the other cast members. Filled with suspense, intrigue and adventure the young sleuths on horseback set out to solve mysteries and overcome challenges. Selling points: Strong stories, fast pace, appealing characters and Sydney's exquisite natural bushland and beachside settings, particularly when contrasted with Berlin's urban density

Producers' take: "It's obvious young teenage girls are in love with horses so it's tapping into that target audience's natural predilection," says exec producer Noel Price.