Warner Bros. International Television Production in Australia Appoints Shaun Murphy Head of Entertainment
August 2015 also sees the completion of the rebrand, following the 2014 acquisition, of Eyeworks Australia into Warner Bros. International Television Production. WBITVP is a worldwide network of format and production businesses that spans 15 territories.
Emmy-nominated producer Murphy brings 20 years of industry experience and joins Warner Bros. from Shine Australia. Murphy’s credentials include as Executive Producer on three seasons of “The Bachelor Australia,” “Australia’s Next Top Model” for Foxtel, and “Crips & Bloods: Made in America” for PBS.
Andrew Zein, Senior Vice President, Creative, Format Development & Sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production said, “We’re delighted to secure Shaun as Head of Entertainment for Warner Bros. International Television Production in Australia. Having worked with him over the last 3 years as he oversaw our flagship format ‘The Bachelor’ in Australia, we saw what a superb Executive Producer he is, as well as being a great guy. Shaun joining WBITVP underlines our commitment and ambition for growing our Australian production business, and he joins our already exceptional team, which includes Geraldine Orrock, Head of Development, who joined WBITVP in September having previously executive produced ‘The Voice Australia’ and ‘My Kitchen Rules.’”
Today’s news follows the Wednesday night premiere of “The Bachelor Australia” on Network Ten, produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production in association with Shine Australia, which ranked #1 in its timeslot amongst all viewers, including Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49, and peaked with 1.38 million viewers in capital city and regional areas. The launch was up +22% on the 2014 premiere episode and Thursday nights second installment once again ranked #1 in its timeslot amongst Adults 25-54, up +24% on season two’s second episode. “The Bachelor Australia’s” success online was equally impactful, with the premiere trending as the #1 entertainment program in Australia, with a 54% share of the Twitter TV audience in Australia and 2.9 million Twitter impressions and the #2 entertainment program on Twitter worldwide.
In association with Artemis International & Serendipity Productions, WBITVP Australia is producing a seventh season of “Who Do You Think You Are?” for SBS. With more than 55 primetime Australian episodes commissioned to date, the series is consistently one of SBS One’s highest rated shows.
And, in co-production with McAvoy Media, WBITVP Australia is in final stages of production on the 10-part reality series, “What Really Happens in Thailand” for Seven. The production has gained unprecedented access to the busiest emergency rooms, cosmetic surgery centers, and the most outrageous party spots of Thailand’s peak tourist season.