The big American-owned broadcaster sparks concern by ignoring local content in favour of an Australian copycat programme. The NZ producer wants the new series pulled off air, Mark Jennings reports.
Christchurch based TV producer Jeff Hampton was shopping at his local supermarket when someone he knew came up to him and said “I see your latest show is about to screen”. Hampton was puzzled. He is the producer of Demolition NZ, a reality show that has, until last year, run on Prime/Sky, but no new episodes had been filmed.
There had been discussions with TV3/Discovery about supporting a new series, after Prime decided to move away from reality shows, but nothing had eventuated. Soon, others were asking him about the new series of ‘Demolition’ being promoted on the network recently bought by Discovery.
Hampton switched on TV3 and was shocked to see a show called Demolition Down Under being advertised.
Demolition Down Under turns out to be an Australian show based on exactly the same premise as Hampton’s show – a fly-on-the wall look at demolition crews going about their dirty and dangerous work.
But wait, there’s more. According to Hampton the Aussie show has “almost the same name, same look, similar graphics, and structure as ours.”
“If this is his idea of a boost, it’s a weird new definition of the word.”
– Jeff Hampton, Demolition NZ
Hampton says TV3 backed his application to NZ On Air’s premium fund earlier this year but they had been turned down. It was a long shot that a reality show would be successful in a premium round and Hampton says he was encouraged by NZ On Air to apply in the next, standard funding round.
With this in mind, discussions continued with TV3’s Head of Commissioning and External Production, Sue Woodfield. But, from May 10, Woodfield stopped replying to Hampton’s emails. The network began screening Demolition Down Under five weeks later.
Hampton says he finds it hard to reconcile Discovery general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Glen Kyne’s, recent comments that the network wants to boost local production. “If this is his idea of a boost, it’s a weird new definition of the word.”
He says Discovery has made it harder for Demolition NZ to go back to NZ On Air for funding. “I can’t see why they’d want to fund us when there’s another very similar show already airing.
“So what it means is local film-makers are missing out on work.”
Hampton created Demolition NZ in 2017 after making a one-hour documentary on damaged buildings being torn down following the earthquakes in Christchurch and Wellington.
Prime screened two series of the show between 2018 and 2020. At the time, they rated in the top 10 of New Zealand made programmes funded by NZ On Air.
“This is a slice of New Zealand that is rarely seen on our screens. We don’t need to see Aussies doing it when we have our own talent on our doorstep. It is extremely disappointing that a New Zealand channel has chosen to do this.”
– Jeff Hampton
Demolition NZ is marketed overseas and, to date, played in 71 different countries. NZ On Air gets a share of the proceeds.
“This is a slice of New Zealand that is rarely seen on our screens. We don’t need to see Aussies doing it when we have our own talent on our doorstep. It is extremely disappointing that a New Zealand channel has chosen to do this,” Hampton says.
Hampton’s lawyers, Hudson Gavin Martin, have sent a letter to TV3/Discovery pointing out the similarities between the two shows and requesting that Demolition Down Under be taken off air.
The Australian show is made by WildBear Entertainment, a major Australian production house whose managing director is New Zealander Alan Erson.
Erson cut his teeth making fly-on-the-wall documentaries for TVNZ in a series called First Hand.
We are delighted to see our supported productions Demolition Down Under and Aussie Mega Mechanics screened across Discovery’s high profile and far-reaching network, showcasing Queensland production talent to an audience of millions.”
– Diya Eid, Screen Queensland
WildBear has offices in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra. It recently opened an office in Dunedin with Craig Meade as its general Manager. Meade was formerly head of production at Natural History New Zealand.
In 2019 WildBear produced its first series of Demolition Down Under for Network 10 in Australia. The series received funding from Screen Queensland.
The following year Discovery’s Australian operation (prior to its merger with NZ) licensed two more series of the show.
Screen Queensland’s head of content, Diya Eid said in a media release at the time: “Wildbear Entertainment is a true powerhouse in the factual space. As well as creating fascinating, engaging factual content, they are an inspiring Queensland screen business success story. We are delighted to see our supported productions Demolition Down Under and Aussie Mega Mechanics screened across Discovery’s high profile and far-reaching network, showcasing Queensland production talent to an audience of millions.”
“We are now aware of the copyright infringement claims being made by the producers of Demolition NZ in regards to Australian show Demolition Down Under, and are investigating this accordingly.”
– TV3/Discovery
Newsroom asked TV3/Discovery to respond to Hampton’s claims. We were emailed a statement.
“We are now aware of the copyright infringement claims being made by the producers of Demolition NZ in regards to Australian show Demolition Down Under, and are investigating this accordingly.”
“Discovery acquired the first series of Demolition Down Under following its Australian broadcast on Channel 10 in early 2020, and subsequently bought the rights for a further two seasons. To our knowledge, no previous copyright allegations have been raised.”
Discovery also pointed out in its email that copyright of Demolition Down Under belonged to the production company and not the Network. And, it reiterated Kyne’s stand on local production.
“We remain absolutely committed to the investment and growth of the New Zealand production sector, demonstrated by new and returning formats such as The Block NZ, The Masked Singer NZ, Bay Patrol, Dancing with the Stars NZ and the Patrick Gower: On series to name a few.”
Hampton, a TV3 news reporter for 25 years before branching into programme-making, says he will await Discovery’s investigation of WildBear before he makes his next move.
WildBear CEO, Michael Tear, contacted Newsroom to say his company denies copying Hampton’s idea.
“Demolition Down Under is based on an original concept by WildBear Entertainment, and has been in development since 2012.
“WildBear Entertainment has not been contacted and has received no correspondence by Mr Hampton or Mr Hampton’s lawyers in regards to any copyright infringement allegations; and any alleged similarity by Mr Hampton between Demolition Down Under and Demolition NZ is entirely coincidental.”
