Bell Media

Bell Media has acquired the Canadian broadcast rights to Australian scripted dramedy series The Unusual Suspects (Aquarius Films; pictured) from distributor About Premium Content (APC). The 4 x 60-minute series, which premiered on commissioner SBS Australia in June, stars Miranda Otto (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Aina Dumlao (Ballers) and Michelle Vergara Moore (Condor) and tells the story of how the theft of a multi-million dollar necklace reveals the hidden affairs and shady business deals of the wealthy in Eastern Sydney.

The Unusual Suspects has also been acquired in the U.S. (Hulu), New Zealand (Rialto), France (OCS), Spain (Filmin), Belgium (Streamz and Proximus) and Spain and Portugal (AMC Networks International Southern Europe). The series has its international premiere today (Aug. 27) at French TV festival Series Mania, where it will screen in the International Panorama competition – which also includes Canadian titles Sort Of (Sienna Films) and Bête Noire (Encore Télévision).

Terror Films

Montreal-shot indie horror film Hostage has been acquired by Terror Films for North American distribution. The film, which is the feature directorial debut of Montreal, QC’s Eddie Augustin, is produced by Anxious Eddy and Rev13 Films and co-written by Augustin and producer Laura Ashley Polisena. Additional producers include Giuseppe Monticciolo, Tony Manolikakis and Katiuscia Pierre.

The film had its digital world premiere on Aug. 20 on AVOD services Kings of Horror and Tubi, with additional services to be announced at a later date, Manolikakis tells Playback Daily. Hostage stars Nicole Hendersen, Mike Cannz, Daryl Marks and Tina Trineer and follows a young man who breaks into a home only to fall victim to its residents. It was shot with a $200,000 budget. Devilworks handles sales for the film outside of North America.

Sinking Ship Entertainment

Toronto-based kids prodco Sinking Ship Entertainment has inked deals with streaming services to expand the reach of its programs. Ad-supported streamer The Roku Channel has acquired preschool series Chirp and factual series My Home, My Life and Giver for audiences in the U.S. and the U.K., while North American SVOD Oznoz has also acquired Chirp. Sinking Ship has also released its Emmy-winning series Dino Dana and Odd Squad for purchase in the U.S. and the U.K. and iTunes and Google Play.