Spike TV has pacted with FremantleMedia Enterprises for worldwide financing, marketing and distribution of three upcoming original skeins.
FME, the brand-extension arm of U.K.-based FremantleMedia (producer of the "American Idol" franchise, "America's Got Talent" and "Hole in the Wall"), will contribute coin for "Jesse James Is a Dead Man," "Deadliest Warrior" and the tentatively titled "Surviving Disaster," all of which are set to bow on the MTV Networks cabler in 2009.
"We view these new series as long-term franchises, and FME's tremendous leverage and scope will maximize their revenue potential," said MTVN senior content veep Eddie Dalva.
Fremantle provided international distribution of Spike's "DEA" and "Murder" and unveiled Comedy Central's "Reality Bites Back" at last month's Mipcom. It's the financing and marketing element of the latest Spike deal that breaks new ground between the two congloms.
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