Far North Far Reaching for WBD

The overnight ratings in the key commercial demographic may have dived for Three’s new Monday night drama Far North but Warner Bros. Discovery says the local production has delivered “spectacular” results across its linear and digital platforms.

The series also is tipped to make s global splash. It will stream next month on Paramount+ in Australia and early next year on Sundance Now in the US, and will be one of format holder All3 Media International’s top titles at October’s Mipcom market in Cannes.

A WBD spokesperson says Far North has notched up more streams and reach on ThreeNow than any other local debut this year.

“In fact, it is the second-highest ThreeNow debut across all shows in 2023, coming second only to ratings juggernaut Married at First Sight Australia.

“Furthermore, it has had the biggest weekly audience for any drama show on ThreeNow since the platform launched.”

She says Far North also firmly sits as the highest reaching local show on Three for the year up to August 19, with nearly half a million viewers aged 5+ (453,379) tuning into episode one (this is a consolidated viewership, not just overnight).

“The phenomenal success of Far North proves that New Zealand audiences have a strong appetite for premium local drama,” WBD Senior Director of Production ANZ, Vicki Keogh, says. 

“Far North drove a significant uptake in new registrations on ThreeNow in the past week.

“South Pacific Pictures in partnership with White Balance Pictures have delivered a world-class series with a stellar cast, and we’re delighted that it is resonating so strongly with viewers and critics alike.” 

“South Pacific Pictures and White Balance Pictures are incredibly proud of Far North, and the viewing results achieved is a massive win for the television industry as a whole,” SPP CEO Kelly Martin says.

“We are thankful for the creation of the Te Puna Kairangi Fund which made it possible to turn this 100 percent New Zealand story into a world-class series with international appeal and the viewing results for Far North validates the necessity of this type of premium funding. 

“We also acknowledge the support of New Zealand on Air.”