Content Distribution

The TPL Group was founded in 1993 to focus on TV program distribution, development, production, sports event coverage and development of broadcast and cable channels worldwide. The business was incorporated as Television Programming Pty Ltd in 1996.

Business commenced with the hugely successful broadcast of the official AFL Network Seven "Aussie Rules Highlights" show which quickly reached audiences in 140 countries. The Nine Network’s Getaway series was also broadcast across the Americas (including the USA) Europe and UK and throughout Asia. A number of documentary series’ were also developed in conjunction with The Discovery Channel, the Seven Network in Australia, and The National Geographic and Travel Channels globally. Successful products included Liquid Highways, Everybody’s Darling, Hanoi Highway, Grand Prix Sailing, the “Blown-out” Melbourne-Osaka Yacht Race documentary, and the historic Sydney-Hobart documentary.

A joint venture between TPL and Britain’s TCM Total Control Media led to development of interactive television programming concepts. The pioneering Joe Razz interactive character was created for broadcast in the UK (ITV), Thailand, Italy, France, the Middle East and Scandinavia. This led to Disney’s ground breaking interactive animated programming broadcast globally.

Meanwhile TPL Sports was involved in the development of TV rights to numerous Australian sports events. Major properties developed by TPL have included AFL Football, The Australian Soccer League, The Le Mans Series, the Australian Touring Car Championships, Shell Advance Superbike Series, the Flying Eighteen Footers, The Sydney-Hobart & Melbourne-Osaka Yacht Races, The Beach Volleyball Grand Prix, the Sydney & Gold Coast Marathons, Australian Netball and Basketball. Successful TPL Magazine shows have included Total Sport, Pele’s World Cup commentary, Inside Sport and World of Water.

In addition to program sales and production, TPL Managing Director James Bunn has acted as consultant on a number of specific key programming deals for third parties. Most notably he acted as advisor during the 1995 PBL v News Corporation "Superleague" dispute. He brokered the 1993 Liberty Media/Australis Media joint venture for launch of the Premier Media, Fox Sports Australia 24 hour sports channel which is today seen as a beacon of profitability in an otherwise declining sector. Others include Liberty Global/UGC international channels in 25 countries, the ABCN Asian Broadcast venture, the 2003 (Australian) Independent Soccer Review and a global FA Premier League rights bid. He has also advised on the development of new broadcast channels in the Middle East, South America, Eastern Europe & East Africa. Globecast / France Telecom created a new media venture for broadcast of high quality sports & music audio/video entertainment in the UK under his guidance. Recently his work has been at the forefront of regional broadband initiatives and mobile content & broadcast, media Industry reform, associated mergers and acquisitions and development of digital catch-up TV applications in Australia & the USA.

Over two decades of business success The TPL Group has seen the broadcast media landscape evolve considerably, however it is quality content that has remained king, throughout.