Great Southern Television

What Great Southern Television does

Great Southern Television is a privately held, Auckland-based television and film production company founded in 2002 by Philip Smith, who continues as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer. The company produces original premium content across drama, reality, factual and film — including One Lane Bridge, The Casketeers, The Ridge, The Hui, Hillary, Tracked and Jonah — and operates from a 51–100-employee production facility in Mt Eden, Auckland, with state-of-the-art Avid editing suites and full production infrastructure. It is positioned as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading producers of Māori and indigenous programming, with dedicated indigenous content leadership and an annual Tāhuna writer residency in Queenstown.

The business sells directly to international and domestic broadcasters through commissions, co-productions and licensing deals. Confirmed commissioning partners include BBC, Netflix, AMC, Warner Bros. Discovery, TVNZ, Three, Sky NZ, Foxtel, Amazon Prime Video, PBS, SBS Australia and Māori Television, with international distribution additionally routed through sales agents such as Hat Trick International, Oble Entertainment and Boat Rocker Studios. Revenue derives from (a) licensing and royalty streams from completed productions distributed globally — One Lane Bridge is currently cleared in 42 countries — and (b) production services offered to third parties filming in New Zealand, encompassing casting, crew sourcing, location scouting, permitting, logistics and post-production. Pricing is negotiated per production and is not publicly disclosed.

As of 2024 the company is concurrently delivering four premium drama co-productions with global partners (The Ridge with BBC and Sky NZ, Friends Like Her with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fifth Season, n00b with Warner Bros. Discovery and Oble, and Spinal Destination with Hat Trick and Sky NZ), has accumulated 33 NZ Film and Television Awards, and continues multi-season runs of franchises including The Casketeers (six seasons) and The Hui (eighth season).

Name

Great Southern Television

Legal name

Great Southern Television

Website

https://greatsouthern.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Great Southern Television is a privately held Auckland-based production company founded in 2002 that produces drama, reality, factual and film content for global and domestic broadcasters including BBC, Netflix, AMC, Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon Prime and TVNZ, with a leadership position in Māori and indigenous programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Television Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Live-Action TV Movies, Miniseries & Specials Production (MPADABAD)

Keywords

• Television production services
• Drama series production
• Documentary filmmaking
• Reality TV production
• Indigenous content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Content Production and Licensing: Great Southern Television produces original TV content (drama, reality, factual, film) and generates revenue through commissions from broadcasters, co-production deals with international partners, and licensing fees to streaming platforms and networks worldwide.
2. Production Services: The company offers production support services including casting, crew sourcing, equipment rental, location scouting, permitting, logistics, scheduling, accommodation, transportation, customs clearance, security, budgeting, and work visa assistance to other production companies filming in New Zealand.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Great Southern Television is a New Zealand-based international television production company that develops and produces original drama, reality, factual, and film content. The company supplies completed programs and series to domestic and international broadcasters and streaming platforms. Its slate draws on New Zealand-rooted storytelling, including work with Māori subject matter, packaged for global audiences.

Product overview

Great Southern Television is a multi-award winning international production company based in Auckland, New Zealand, offering a diverse portfolio of television and film content across multiple genres. The portfolio consists of: Drama productions including One Lane Bridge, The Ridge, N00b, Friends Like Her, Spinal Destination, Agent Anna, Hillary, Jonah, The Cult, The Basement, Why Does Love, and The Kick; Reality shows such as Tracked, The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, The Casketeers, The Apprentice Aotearoa, Dog Almighty, My Restaurant Rules, Million Dollar Catch, and Shearing Gang; Factual programming including The Hui, Kia Ora Good Evening, Swipe With Caution, Tāmati's RSA Roadie, Coast Australia, New Zealand Wars, My Māori Midwife, Hongi To Hāngī, The Checkup, Aroha Nui, and Family, Faith, Footy; Films such as Apron Strings, Honk if You're Horny, and Show Of Hands; Production support services through Great Southern Studios providing state-of-the-art facilities in Auckland; and the Tāhuna writers residency program in Queenstown. With over 80 original productions and partnerships with major broadcasters including BBC, Netflix, AMC, TVNZ, and Discovery, the company creates content that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drama series and films

Quantifiable outcome

• One Lane Bridge sold to 42 countries worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational co-production partner for drama and factual content including One Lane Bridge (AMC/TVNZ), The Ridge (BBC iPlayer), Coast Australia, and Coast New Zealand.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing and co-production partner for The Casketeers (acquired internationally) and other productions distributed on the Netflix platform globally.
• Warner Bros. Discovery / Discovery ChannelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioning partner for Tracked reality series starring Vinnie Jones. Also co-production partner for n00b, Friends Like Her, and other drama productions.
• AMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for One Lane Bridge, distributed internationally through AMC's networks and streaming platforms in the USA and globally.
• TVNZcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary domestic broadcaster and co-production partner for numerous productions including One Lane Bridge, The Casketeers, The Hui, Agent Anna, and The Apprentice Aotearoa.
• Three (TV3)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDomestic broadcaster for The Apprentice Aotearoa, Jonah, Hongi To Hāngī, Dog Almighty, and other productions on Three and THREENOW platforms.
• SKY NZcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcast partner for The Ridge (Sky Go, Neon), Spinal Destination, and other productions on SKY platforms.
• FoxtelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian broadcast partner for Coast Australia on Foxtel's The History Channel and other platforms.
• Amazon Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform partner for Hillary series distributed on Amazon Prime Video globally.
• PBScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS broadcaster for Hillary mini-series.
• SBS AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian broadcaster for The Casketeers and Spinal Destination.
• Māori TelevisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMāori language broadcaster for indigenous programming including The Casketeers and My Māori Midwife.
• NZ Film CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment film commission providing support, access, and funding for productions in New Zealand. Close relationships with key government entities.
• NZ on AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding body for New Zealand television and digital media content. Provides funding support for productions.
• Department of Conservation (DOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency providing crucial access to National Parks and protected areas for filming locations.
• Oble EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner for n00b series.
• Boat Rocker StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for The Ridge, providing international production support and distribution.
• Hat Trick InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner for Spinal Destination, Derry Girls, Whose Line Is It Anyway.
• Fifth SeasoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Friends Like Her psychological thriller series.
• Whitiora ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer for Spinal Destination series.
• Aotearoa Media CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for NZ Wars documentary series.
• Queenstown Lakes District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing support for Tāhuna writer residency program based in Queenstown.
• Dementia New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dementia New Zealand for The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes series about dementia awareness.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boat Rocker Studios: Canadian-headquartered global entertainment company producing scripted, unscripted, and kids content (Orphan Black, Killjoys). Active co-production and distribution partner for The Ridge, comparable in international co-production approach.
• South Pacific Pictures: NZ's largest privately-owned drama production company (owned by Sky NZ), producing long-running drama and reality series (e.g., Shortland Street, Westside) for domestic and international broadcasters. Most direct competitor to GSTV in the New Zealand production market.
• Fifth Season: US-based independent production/distribution company (formerly Endeavor Content) producing premium drama and film with global distribution. Co-production partner on Friends Like Her and similar in scale to GSTV's international co-productions.
• See-Saw Films: Independent international production company (Australia/UK) producing premium drama and film (e.g., The Power of the Dog, Slow Horses) with co-production financing from global streamers and broadcasters. Highly comparable in size, international focus, and co-production model.
• Hat Trick Productions: UK independent production company producing comedy, drama, and factual content (Derry Girls, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) with global distribution via Hat Trick International. Comparable size and served as distribution partner for Spinal Destination.

Broad incumbents

• Banijay: Global production powerhouse with 120+ production labels across 22 territories producing reality, drama, and factual content. Operates in similar genres to GSTV but at substantially larger scale.
• Fremantle: World's largest international production company, producing drama, factual, and entertainment across 25+ countries (Idol, Got Talent). Operates globally across content categories where GSTV competes, but at vastly larger scale.
• Working Title Films: Major UK/NZ film and television production company (Love Actually, Fleabag) with deep BBC and international broadcaster relationships. Larger incumbent producing premium drama comparable to GSTV's genre footprint.
• ITV Studios: UK-based global production and distribution arm of ITV, producing drama, entertainment, and factual content for international broadcasters and streamers. Operates at significantly larger scale but in overlapping genres.
• All3Media: Independent UK-based television production group with 50+ production companies producing premium drama, factual, and entertainment content globally. Direct corporate competitor in production-for-broadcast model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/greatsouthernnz
• Instagraminstagram.com/great_southern_television
• Facebookfacebook.com/greatsouthernnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-southern-television

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Southern Television