FilmRise, the New York-based film and television studio and streaming network, announces its exclusive deal with Fuji Television Network, Inc. through its distribution arm Fuji Creative Corporation to bring domestic and international audiences the hit Japanese culinary cook-off series, “Iron Chef.” FilmRise has secured all SVOD and AVOD rights and will also present the series on its FilmRise Streaming Network. The announcement was made jointly by Max Einhorn, SVP of Acquisitions & Co-Productions of FilmRise and Masaru Akiyama, Senior Manager at Fuji Television, Network, Inc.
Einhorn states, “Iron Chef” is a legendary brand and the true godfather of the modern cooking competition format and, as the originator of the secret-ingredient showdown and standard-setter for theatrics and drama, it’s easy to see why an entire American network reinvented itself after seeing the passion for Iron Chef. We look forward to offering it to old and new fans to stream around the world.”
Masaru Akiyama of Fuji Television Network, Inc. continues “Iron Chef” was a groundbreaking series, inspiring eight highly successful international editions, and became an instant cult fan favorite in the US since its original airing in 1999. By partnering with FilmRise and plugging into their streaming network, we will be able to seamlessly reach our loyal fans and create new fans for the series around the globe”.
“Iron Chef” is an innovative cooking competition from Japan. No expense is spared as Chefs seem to have almost limitless supplies of the most exotic and expensive gourmet ingredients. The competition, hosted by Chairman Kaga introduces a “secret ingredient” that the challenger and the chosen Iron Chef has to incorporate into every dish. Each chef presents his or her dishes to a panel of 3-4 judges who rate the dishes to crown a winner. All of the competitions occur in a specially designed “kitchen stadium”.
After the program completed its run in Japan in 1999 after creating 290 episodes, eight international territories created their own editions, including “Iron Chef: America,” “Iron Chef: Israel,” “Iron Chef: UK,” “Iron Chef: Australia,” “Iron Chef: Thailand,” “Iron Chef: Indonesia,” “Iron Chef: Vietnam,” and “Iron Chef: Canada,” boosting its international loyal cult following.
The deal was negotiated by Jonitha Keymoore at FilmRise and Francois Grosjean at Fuji Creative Corporation.
About Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Since commencing broadcasts in 1959, Fuji Television has shared countless stories of love and friendship, good and evil. As a trendsetter, we have remained half a step ahead of these rapidly changing times by delivering innovative dramas, animations, variety shows, newscasts, sports programs, and motion pictures. That is the very reason why Fuji Television has been able to maintain its position as the leading commercial broadcaster in the Japanese media industry.
Fuji Television’s vision to allow its creativity to reach beyond things that are only Japanese, has helped it to be accepted globally. The one-of-a-kind, high-energy, cooking show “Iron Chef” became a huge hit after entering the American market in the 1990’s. “Iron Chef” has since become the role model for how to make programs that will thrill audiences around the world.
With over 60 years of experience, Fuji Television has accumulated extensive expertise and knowledge in producing hit TV shows and formats, prompting drama remakes to local markets as well as co-producing original programs with major overseas production companies. By leveraging these skill sets and our creative DNA, we continue to expand into new markets around the world, bringing Japanese creativity to a wider audience.
Fuji Creative Corporation is specialized in both distribution and production of quality TV programs for domestic and overseas markets as a subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc. Fully experienced in distribution and licensing, the company has been providing overseas markets with high-quality programs, such as anime, dramas, reality and documentary shows, and program formats for over 30 years.
About FilmRise
FilmRise is a Brooklyn-based film and television studio and operator of the FilmRise Streaming Network, the world’s largest independently owned portfolio of ad-supported streaming apps and FAST channels. Founded in 2012 by veteran producers and financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein, FilmRise is a recognized market leader and innovator at the forefront of analytics-led curation and distribution.
The company offers over 40,000 licensed and originally produced scripted and unscripted feature films and television episodes across all genres, including Gordon Ramsay’s HELL’S KITCHEN and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES; Carsey-Werner’s beloved sitcom 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN; the Robert Stack-hosted true crime series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES; high-tech documentary crime series like FORENSIC FILES; American classic TV series THE RIFLEMAN, THAT GIRL and THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW; long-standing British favorites such as PEEP SHOW, SHAMELESS, MIRANDA, MIDSOMER MURDERS and DOC MARTIN; as well as popular family series HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN and HEARTLAND.
The company acquires and distributes an impressive movie library of award-winning, critically acclaimed feature films and documentaries, including the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival Best Documentary winner and three-time 2021 Emmy nominee REWIND; true crime feature thriller MY FRIEND DAHMER starring Ross Lynch and Anne Heche; two-time 2020 Spirit Award-nominated drama DRIVEWAYS, starring Hong Chau and Brian Dennehy; SURGE, the 2020 Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award winner starring Ben Whishaw; and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning feature film THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST starring Chloë Grace Moretz.
FilmRise Original productions include true crime series BLOODLINE DETECTIVES HOSTED BY NANCY GRACE and MEET, MARRY, MURDER HOSTED BY MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG, conflict resolution show THE MEDIATOR WITH ICE-T as well as the PBS documentary series ICON: MUSIC THROUGH THE LENS.