BBC Worldwide acquires Beyoncé and Jay Z concert film “On The Run” and announces pre-sales of Foo Fighters documentary, Sonic Highways to 47 territories ahead of MIPCOM

BBC Worldwide announced today that it has secured the international TV rights to “ON THE RUN” a 1 x 150 HBO concert film of 17-time Grammy winner BEYONCÉ and 19-time Grammy winner JAY Z on their latest tour.

An original HBO production, BBC Worldwide has the global rights to all territories excluding North America, France and Australia.

The two and a half hour special taped during the Paris leg of the couple’s first ever collaborative tour is directed by award-winning music video director Jonas Åkerlund, who has also masterminded Beyoncé’s previous videos “Superpower” and “Haunted”. The special features highlights from the live show, which saw performances of more than 40 songs, including the superstars’ hit songs together “Crazy in Love” and “Drunk in Love”; special guest appearance from Nicki Minaj; Beyoncé’s remarkable 15 costume changes; and intimate footage of the couple’s private life incorporated into performances on giant screens.

Salim Mukaddam, Director, Music for BBC Worldwide said: “’On The Run’ is a totally unique, never to be repeated, masterpiece performance film showcasing the talent of arguably the two biggest musical stars on the planet. We are honoured to extend our relationship with Beyoncé’s company Parkwood Entertainment as well as working with Roc Nation on this incredible project.” 

The deal was announced ahead of MIPCOM where BBC Worldwide will be presenting its music slate. Ahead of the market the company announced today pre-sales to over 45 territories of the eight-part HBO original series Foo Fighters Sonic Highways acquired by BBC Worldwide in June. The much anticipated documentary series, produced by Roswell Films and directed by rock legend, David Grohl has already pre-sold to countries such as — the UK (BBC Four), Canada (HBO Canada), Denmark (DR3), Belgium (OP12), Finland (YLE), Norway (NRK2), Australia (Nine and Foxtel) and New Zealand (The Edge) adding to previous sales to Japan (WOWOW) and Spain (CANAL +) -- ahead of its HBO transmission on October 17.

Each episode of Sonic Highways will be available for broadcast in the rest of the world immediately after it has aired in the US with the first episode airing on the eve of the Foo Fighters 20th anniversary.

Mukaddam says “We are really trying to push boundaries and expand the reach of premium music content. Together with Dave Grohl and Roswell Films, we’ve been able to do something really innovative and bring a ground-breaking documentary series to the rest of the world almost immediately after it airs in the US. It’s a credit to Dave Grohl that his reputation as a film maker is now so great that international broadcasters are willing to pre-buy an entire series. ”

BBC Worldwide is the market leader in Music Television distribution. As well as titles such as the BRIT Awards 2015, Glastonbury Festival and Later…with Jools Holland in its MIPCOM 2014 catalogue, BBC Worldwide will be showcasing the following titles at the market:

BB King – Life of Riley, the story of how an oppressed, orphaned young black man called Riley B. King came to earn the title of the ‘King of the Blues’ - influencing countless other musicians in the process.

Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly, the deeply personal story of multi-Grammy Award-winning Roberta Flack’s rise to global stardom amidst the struggles of America’s civil rights movement.

The Possibilities are Endless – Edwyn Collins The incredible story of Scottish post-pop singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins who, after suffering a stroke so severe it effectively deleted the contents of his mind, spent years rebuilding his life.

Which feature alongside Simple Minds – Live at the SSE Hydro Glasgow, Later with Jools Holland: Series 45, BBC Proms: Last Night of the Proms 2014, Coldplay – Ghost Stories Live and Radio One’s Big Weekend 2014.

BBC Worldwide stand -  P3.B38. Palais Level 3

NOTES TO EDITORS

Programme Information

Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways: To mark their 20th

anniversary Dave Grohl and the rest of the Foo Fighters travel across America to tap into the musical heritage and cultural fabric of eight cities--Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington - basing themselves at a legendary studios integral to the unique history and character of each location. Described by Grohl as "a love letter to the history of American music,” each episode of Sonic Highways features exclusive interviews and/or guest performances by figures central to each city’s musical history and identity, and provides an intimate, no holds barred look at how each locale influenced and impacted the music Foo Fighters would come to record there.

Sonic Highways is a 8x60 documentary series directed by Dave Grohl, produced by Roswell Films, a division of Roswell Records; written by Mark Monroe and Dave Grohl. The series is produced by Roswell Films and Therapy Content, in association with Worldwide Pants.

About BBC Worldwide. BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).  Its vision is to build the BBC’s brands, audiences, commercial returns and reputation across the world.  This is achieved through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values.  The business also champions British creativity globally.

In 2013/14, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £157.4m and headline sales of £1,042.3m and returned £173.8m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview
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