Cinedigm acquires Australian TV programs

Cinedigm is growing Down Under.

The Los Angeles-based company said Monday it has acquired the digital and video-on-demand rights (in North America and Latin America) to more than 1,000 episodes of television from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. library.

The deal represents a major push into the international marketplace for Cinedigm, best known for helping theaters convert to digital technology. The company has embarked on an ambitious strategy to transform itself into a leading digital distributor of independent movies, documentaries and TV shows — not just to theaters but to a plethora of digital devices and outlets.

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The agreement gives Cinedigm digital rights to some of Australia’s best known television programs, including “Correlli” (starring Hugh Jackman); the “An Audience With Dame Edna” series; and the acclaimed Australian comedy “At Home With Julia,” about Australia’s first female prime minister.

“This acquisition reflects the remarkable fluidity of today’s international entertainment marketplace and the ever-growing importance of efficient, cost-effective delivery of digital content worldwide,” Cinedigm Chief Executive Chris McGurk said in a statement. “ABC has a reputation for superb, varied product and our audiences will now have the opportunity to enjoy that programming in their own regions via devices of their choosing.”

“ABC Commercial is delighted to be working with a company with the experience and market reach of Cinedigm and we look forward to audiences in the USA, Canada and Latin America having access to our award-winning, quality ABC productions,” said Robert Patterson, director of ABC Commercial.

Cinedigm, which distributed the Oscar-nominated film “The Invisible War,” has amassed a library of more than 5,000 titles, including award-winning documentaries and films through partnerships with Sundance Institute and Tribeca Film.

The company has formed partnerships with iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Google, Hulu, Vudu, Xbox, PlayStation, among others.

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