Freehand Productions

Freehand Productions (or simply Freehand) is an Australian television production company, founded in 2004 by producers John Gregory, Peter Abbott and Chris O’Mara.

Freehand Productions
Private
IndustryTelevision
Founded2004
Founder
  • Chris O'Mara
  • Peter Abbott
  • John Gregory
Headquarters
Sydney
Area served
Australia
ServicesTelevision production
WebsiteFreehandTV.com.au

Since its inception, Freehand has produced or co-produced various genres of content, including light and factual entertainment, observational documentary, specials and children's television, for Australian commercial broadcasters, public broadcasters and subscription television channels.

Notable productions include Top Gear Australia, Freshwater Blue, Missing Persons Unit, Planet Cake and Joker Poker.

History

In 2007, BBC Worldwide acquired a 25% stake in Freehand Productions for a reported A$2.5 million, which was the first time BBC Worldwide purchased a stake in an existing company rather than set up their own.[1] BBC Worldwide divested its stake to co-founder Peter Abbott in 2012.[2]

Co-founder Chris O'Mara departed the company in 2009.[3]

In 2010, Freehand produced the first local commission for MTV Australia, in reality show Freshwater Blue.[4]

Productions

Production credits include Planet Cake (Lifestyle Food), Matt Wright: Outback Wrangler (National Geographic Channel), Freshwater Blue (MTV), Top Gear Australia (moving from SBS to Nine Network in 2010), Dancing with the Stars (Seven Network), Bush Slam (ABC), Costa's Garden Odyssey (SBS), Missing Persons Unit (Nine Network), An Audience with Michael Parkinson (UKTV) and One Small Step: The Australian Story (BBC Knowledge and BBC HD).

In 2008, Freehand joined forces with Blink Films to produce the children's program Escape from Scorpion Island (ABC) and together were successful in securing the inaugural commission for CBeebies Australia with the magical show for pre-schoolers, Penelope K, by the way.

Production credits
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References
  1. Westerman, Helen (1 February 2007). "BBC Worldwide takes local production partner". The Age. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  2. Knox, David (15 November 2012). "SPAA 2012: BBC splits from Freehand". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  3. "Freehand loses partner". If.com.au. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  4. Delaney, Colin (16 March 2012). "Making it pay on pay TV". Mumbrella. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  5. Sydney Morning Herald Home and Hosed
  6. BBC Worldwide Press Releases Top Gear revs up Downunder
  7. SMH Happy Endings for Some
  8. "Fenton crowned Australia's best BBQ'er!" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  9. "Nickelodeon Wins Astra Awards" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  10. BC Worldwide Press Releases Honey We're Killing the Kids comes to Australia
  11. The Age Queer as blokes
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