Press Release
Eyeworks Makes Important Step Forward in International Growth
Internationally Renowned Production Company Touchdown
Joins Eyeworks Group
Amsterdam, February 8th 2006
International production house, Touchdown Television, will become part of the Eyeworks Group from April 1st 2006,
following an agreement signed in Auckland, New Zealand.
Touchdown is New Zealand's leading entertainment television production company and market leader in broad appeal
entertainment formats. Founded in 1991 by Julie Christie, Touchdown specialises in entertainment, lifestyle, sport and
factual series, and reality game shows. The company has an impressive format catalogue and distributes its formats in
more than 20 markets worldwide. Among its hits are Miss Popularity, How Normal Are You? Treasure Island, So You Wannabe
A Popstar and quiz show The Chair which was licensed to 25 countries including the BBC and ABC in the United States,
with John McEnroe as host.
The New Zealand based company, which has offices in Auckland, London and Los Angeles, was founded by producer Julie
Christie who will stay with the company as Managing Director and CEO.
In the near future Eyeworks and Touchdown will present their plan for the merger of their international distribution
activities. From April 1st 2006, Touchdown New Zealand will be known as Eyeworks Touchdown.
Reinout Oerlemans (CEO Eyeworks): ‘With this step, Eyeworks makes a significant move in the English speaking television
market. Julie is a tremendously creative television professional who has built an impressive company that is a well
known name in the international television community. Our aim is to operate in an international network. Touchdown will
bring a lot of energy and creativity to the Eyeworks team.’
Julie Christie: ‘Television is a global business and we are fortunate to be joining Eyeworks at a time when it is going
global. The synergy at a creative level and the extra strength in international format sales will no doubt be great for
both our businesses. I look forward to helping build the company in the years ahead.’
About Eyeworks
Eyeworks develops and produces television programmes in various genres, including sports, entertainment and fiction. The
company was founded in 2001 by Reinout Oerlemans and has its HQ in Amsterdam with affiliates in Germany, Belgium and
Sweden. Eyeworks Sport produces all major sports programming for all commercial broadcasters in The Netherlands.
Eyeworks Drama’s critically acclaimed series Flikken (Cops) is one of the most popular drama series (more than 100
episodes) in Belgium and the Netherlands. Eyeworks International distributes its entertainment formats (including Test
The Nation) in more then 25 countries worldwide.
ENDS