Screentime

Screentime is an Australian television production company that develops, produces and distributes scripted and unscripted television projects, primarily for audiences and broadcasters in Australia and New Zealand. The company was established in 1996 by Bob Campbell and Des Monaghan with backing from Capital Investment Group. Its first production was the New Zealand talk show 5.30 with Jude, which aired on TV One for three seasons and established Screentime as a producer operating across the Tasman market. A major early turning point came in 1999, when Screentime acquired the format rights to Popstars from its New Zealand creator. The company subsequently sold and co-produced adaptations in multiple territories, helping demonstrate the commercial value of a format-led production model. Popstars became one of the company's most important early international assets and contributed to Screentime's expansion beyond commissioned local programming. The company later became associated with a range of popular Australian television properties, including the Underbelly franchise, the observational reality series RBT and the legal drama Janet King. Screentime expanded its production footprint in New Zealand through a 2001 merger involving its New Zealand division and Auckland-based independent producer Communicado. The combined operation was renamed Screentime-Communicado, later generally referred to as Screentime Communicado. This arrangement brought together Screentime's Australian production resources and Communicado's established New Zealand production capabilities. The company also pursued international partnerships. In 2003 it took a 50 percent stake in the Dublin-based production company ShinAwil, creating an Irish joint venture connected to the production of local programming and Screentime formats. That investment gave Screentime a direct production presence in Ireland, although the stake was later sold. During the same period, Screentime established Screentime Partners, a United Kingdom distribution joint venture with ECM International. The London-based business was intended to distribute Screentime's scripted and unscripted programming and formats. Screentime later exited that activity, selling Screentime Partners to Shed Productions in 2006 while continuing to license formats and work through production partnerships. In 2012, Banijay Entertainment acquired a controlling stake in Screentime. The transaction linked the Australian producer to the wider Banijay production and distribution group and gave Screentime access to Banijay formats for adaptation in Australia. Des Monaghan stepped down from his executive position at Screentime in 2014. In 2015, Screentime sold its 49 percent interest in ShinAwil, completing its withdrawal from that Irish investment. Screentime has continued to operate as a production brand within the Banijay group, with activity focused on locally developed and adapted television for Australia and New Zealand. In 2024, its New Zealand operation established Remarkable Studios NZ in Queenstown as an in-house film and television production facility. The studio was intended to provide a principal production base for Screentime New Zealand's future projects, beginning with the crime drama A Remarkable Place to Die. Screentime's business model combines development of original concepts, adaptation of international formats, production services and collaboration with broadcasters and other media companies.

Screentime was formed in Australia in 1996 by Bob Campbell and Des Monaghan with Capital Investment Group. Its first production was the New Zealand talk show 5.30 with Jude, broadcast on TV One for three seasons. From the beginning, the company pursued a trans-Tasman production model rather than limiting itself to the Australian market. In 1999, Screentime acquired the rights to Popstars, a talent competition format created in New Zealand. The format became an important international property: Screentime sold and co-produced adaptations in several territories, establishing the company as both a producer and a format-rights business. This experience shaped its later emphasis on combining locally produced programs with concepts that could be adapted for other markets. The company strengthened its New Zealand activities in April 2001 when Screentime New Zealand merged with Auckland-based independent production company Communicado. Communicado had been established in 1983 and was known as a New Zealand independent production house. Following the merger, the combined production unit was known as Screentime-Communicado. The transaction expanded Screentime's local production capacity and management relationships in New Zealand. Screentime also pursued international expansion in the early 2000s. In January 2003, it acquired a 50 percent stake in Dublin-based ShinAwil, whose work included the Irish version of Popstars. Screentime and ShinAwil created a joint production arm for Irish activity. In February 2003, former BBC, Seven Network and Network Ten executive Jacqui Culliton was appointed Screentime's head of entertainment. Later that year, Screentime formed Screentime Partners with UK distribution company ECM International. The London-based venture was designed to distribute Screentime's scripted and unscripted programs and formats. Screentime exited the UK distribution venture in 2006, selling Screentime Partners to Shed Productions. The sale narrowed the company's direct international distribution footprint, but Screentime continued to license formats and enter production partnerships. Its Australian production portfolio included widely recognized properties such as Popstars, the Underbelly franchise, RBT and Janet King, spanning talent television, crime-related drama, factual programming and legal drama. In 2012, Banijay Entertainment acquired a controlling stake in Screentime. The transaction brought the company into the Banijay production network and gave it access to Banijay formats for Australian adaptations. Des Monaghan left his executive position in 2014. Screentime subsequently sold its 49 percent stake in ShinAwil in 2015, ending its direct investment in the Irish company. The company remained active in industry collaboration and production development. In 2019, it partnered with the Screen Makers Conference in Adelaide. In October 2024, Screentime New Zealand launched plans for Remarkable Studios NZ, a Queenstown-based film and television facility intended to house future productions. The crime drama A Remarkable Place to Die was the first production associated with the new studio. This development represented a further investment in production infrastructure and reinforced Screentime New Zealand's role as an in-house production base.

1. 2024Remarkable Studios NZ established

   Screentime New Zealand established a production studio in Queenstown, with A Remarkable Place to Die as its first production.

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2. 2015ShinAwil investment exited

   Screentime sold its 49 percent stake in ShinAwil.

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3. 2012Banijay takes control

   Banijay Entertainment acquired a controlling stake in Screentime.

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4. 2006UK distribution business sold

   Screentime sold Screentime Partners to Shed Productions and continued its format-licensing and production-partnership activities.

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5. 2003Irish and UK expansion

   Screentime took a 50 percent stake in ShinAwil and formed the UK distribution venture Screentime Partners with ECM International.

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6. 2001New Zealand merger with Communicado

   Screentime New Zealand merged with Communicado and became Screentime-Communicado.

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7. 1999Popstars rights acquired

   Screentime acquired the rights to the Popstars talent competition format and began developing its international format business.

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8. 1996Screentime is founded

   Bob Campbell and Des Monaghan formed Screentime with Capital Investment Group.

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A locally rooted, internationally connected television producer specializing in premium scripted series, factual and unscripted programming, and adaptable television formats for Australia, New Zealand and partner markets.

• PopstarsTelevision format and talent competition1999

  Popstars is a talent-competition format whose rights Screentime acquired in 1999 from its New Zealand creator. Screentime developed, sold and co-produced adaptations for international markets, making the property a foundational part of the company's early format-led expansion. Its commercial importance came from the ability to reproduce the core competition concept in different territories while allowing local broadcasters and production teams to adapt casting, presentation and music-industry elements.

• UnderbellyScripted television drama

  Underbelly is a crime-drama television franchise associated with Screentime's Australian scripted production portfolio. The format and its related series helped establish the company as a producer of commercially prominent local drama and demonstrated its ability to build continuing television properties around Australian criminal history and crime narratives.

• RBTUnscripted factual television

  RBT is an Australian factual television series built around roadside breath-testing operations and related law-enforcement activity. It represents Screentime's unscripted and observational production work, using real-world footage and cases to create accessible factual entertainment for a domestic broadcast audience.

• Janet KingScripted legal drama

  Janet King is a scripted legal drama produced by Screentime. The series forms part of the company's premium Australian drama output and illustrates its involvement in continuing character-led television narratives rather than only standalone factual or reality programs.

• A Remarkable Place to DieScripted crime drama2024

  A Remarkable Place to Die is a crime drama identified as the first production filmed at Remarkable Studios NZ in Queenstown. The project marked the opening phase of Screentime New Zealand's dedicated in-house production facility and its expanded production base in the South Island of New Zealand.

• 2019Screen Makers Conference partnership

  Australia

  Screentime partnered with the Screen Makers Conference in Adelaide, linking the production company with an industry event focused on Australia's screen-making community.

  Outcome. The partnership supported Screentime's participation in the Australian screen-production sector; further commercial outcomes are not specified in the reference material.

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• 2024Create a Queenstown production facilityStrategy

  Screentime New Zealand sought a dedicated base for producing future film and television projects in the region.

  What changed. The company established Remarkable Studios NZ in Queenstown as an in-house production studio.

  Aftermath. A Remarkable Place to Die became the first production filmed at the facility, which was positioned as a primary base for future Screentime New Zealand projects.

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• 2012Join the Banijay production groupM&A

  Screentime had developed a substantial local production and format portfolio and was an acquisition target for a larger international production group.

  What changed. Banijay Entertainment acquired a controlling stake in Screentime.

  Aftermath. Screentime became connected to Banijay's international production network and obtained access to Banijay formats for Australian adaptations.

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• 2003Invest in ShinAwilM&A

  Screentime was expanding the international footprint of its formats, including Popstars, and sought a direct presence in Ireland.

  What changed. The company acquired a 50 percent stake in Dublin-based ShinAwil and formed a joint production operation.

  Aftermath. Screentime gained an Irish production partnership before later selling its remaining 49 percent stake in 2015.

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• 2003Establish UK distribution armStrategy

  Screentime wanted a dedicated channel for international distribution of its programs and formats.

  What changed. It formed Screentime Partners with ECM International in the United Kingdom.

  Aftermath. The venture was sold to Shed Productions in 2006, after which Screentime continued international licensing through other arrangements.

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• 2001Merge with CommunicadoM&A

  Screentime sought to strengthen its New Zealand production capacity and combine its operation with an established Auckland independent producer.

  What changed. Screentime New Zealand merged with Communicado and operated as Screentime-Communicado.

  Aftermath. The merger expanded Screentime's trans-Tasman production platform and brought Communicado personnel into the combined operation.

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• 1999Build a format-rights business around PopstarsStrategy

  Screentime was developing beyond commissioned local production and had an opportunity to commercialize a New Zealand-created talent format.

  What changed. The company acquired the Popstars format rights and pursued international sales and co-productions.

  Aftermath. Popstars became a significant early international property and helped establish Screentime's format-led business model.

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• 2024Screentime New Zealand establishes Remarkable Studios NZ

  Screentime New Zealand established an in-house film and television studio in Queenstown. A Remarkable Place to Die was identified as the first production filmed at the facility.

  Product launch
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• 2019Screentime partners with the Screen Makers Conference

  Screentime partnered with the Screen Makers Conference in Adelaide, supporting activity connected with Australia's screen production sector.

  CampaignOther
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• 2015Screentime sells its stake in ShinAwil

  Screentime sold its 49 percent interest in the Irish production company ShinAwil.

  M&A
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• 2014Des Monaghan leaves his executive role

  Co-founder Des Monaghan stepped down from his executive position at Screentime.

  Leadership change
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• 2012Banijay acquires controlling stake in Screentime

  Banijay Entertainment acquired a controlling interest in Screentime, connecting the Australian producer to the Banijay group and its format catalogue.

  M&A
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• 2003Screentime takes a stake in Irish producer ShinAwil

  Screentime acquired a 50 percent stake in Dublin-based ShinAwil and formed a production partnership for Irish programming and format activity.

  M&A
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• 2003Screentime establishes UK distribution joint venture

  The company created Screentime Partners with ECM International to distribute scripted and unscripted programming and formats in the United Kingdom and internationally.

  Other
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• 2001Screentime merges its New Zealand operation with Communicado

  Screentime's New Zealand production division merged with Auckland independent producer Communicado and operated under the Screentime-Communicado name.

  M&A
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• 1999Screentime acquires rights to the Popstars format

  Screentime acquired the rights to the New Zealand-created talent competition format Popstars and later sold and co-produced international adaptations.

  OtherProduct launch
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1. Screentime