WTFN promotes Michael McDermott to Head of Development, confirms Nine series – Australian producer WTFN has promoted Michael McDermott to its new Head of Development role. At the same time, Nine has commissioned WTFN’s factual series Police Australia.
McDermott will build WTFN’s development pipeline for traditional television and multi-platform content. The announcement comes as the company moves ahead with Police Australia. McDermott developed and cast the six-hour observational documentary series.
McDermott joined WTFN in 2020 as a development researcher. He had completed a PhD in media and diversity studies. Since then, he has worked across true crime, lifestyle, factual entertainment and observational documentary. His work has taken projects from early research to pitching and production.
He also produced WTFN titles The Hunters and Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. In casting, he has worked on Emergency, Paramedics and Space Invaders.
Building a development pipeline
In the new role, McDermott will lead WTFN’s development activity. He will focus on ideas for a changing television and content market. He will also work with digital content company Radar. Together, the businesses will develop concepts and intellectual property for different platforms and audiences.
WTFN co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Steve Oemcke said McDermott’s audience knowledge and analytical approach would be important for the company’s next stage. McDermott said new viewing habits create room for ambitious ideas. However, he said creators must stay clear about the audience and the right home for each project.
Nine commissions Police Australia
Police Australia will follow frontline police officers in Western Australia. WTFN has embedded its production team with the force. The team is filming general duties, organised-crime investigations and special operations. It will also focus on the people behind the badge.
Nine will screen the series next year. It extends WTFN’s “blue light” factual slate for the network. That slate includes Emergency, now in its sixth season, and Paramedics, which has run for seven seasons.
Content from Police Australia is also expected to join Emergency and Paramedics on Real Emergency. WTFN and Nine operate the FAST channel together. The commission gives the producer another returning factual property as it builds its local and multi-platform slate.
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