A second season of the crime drama Aquarius has been commissioned by the US network NBC. The series, which stars Australian actress Claire Holt, David Duchovny, Gethin Anthony and Grey Damon, airs in Australia on the streaming platform Presto. According to chief executive Shaun James, Aquarius ranked as the most streamed program on Presto. James also noted it has "garnered major acclaim from critics worldwide".
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SBS On Demand relaunched
SBS has relaunched its SBS On Demand streaming service, with a library of more than 4000 hours of documentary, drama and movies. The service, which is offered at no charge, is available on 22 platforms, SBS says. Upcoming content includes the third season of the US drama Rectify and "catch up" titles such as The Principal, 12 Monkeys and Glue. The documentary slate includes Sinatra: All or Nothing at All.
LA bureau wins journalism awards
Seven's Los Angeles bureau has won three awards at the 57th annual Southern California Journalism Awards, for a report on a prison rodeo by bureau chief Mike Amor and cameraman Arron Hage, a report on a tribe living in the Grand Canyon by Amor and cameraman Duncan McLeod and the videographer of the year award, which was given to Hage. Seven news director Rob Raschke said it was "a credit to our entire news team."
ABC regional division running
The ABC's newly created regional division has begun operating, bringing 400 content makers at 48 non-capital-city locations under the umbrella of a single division within the broadcaster. The division also includes metropolitan staff from Landline, Australia All Over and Saturday Night Country. The ABC's managing director Mark Scott said the ABC would also expand its online offering, streaming regional radio services.
Foxtel execs promoted
Foxtel's director of programming and channels Ross Crowley has been elevated to the position of director of content strategy and programming, a new role in which he will oversee content strategy and rights negotiations. The shift is one of several at Foxtel; Duane Hatherly is now Foxtel's director of production and Hannah Barnes has been promoted to general manager of the platform's Lifestyle channels.
Australian dramas extended
The ABC has confirmed renewals for its five marquee Australian dramas: Janet King, Rake, Jack Irish, The Code and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. The ABC's head of programming Brendan Dahill said the renewals confirm "[the] ABC's commitment to telling challenging, authentic and entertaining Australian stories". All five series will begin filming new seasons between August and October.
Doctor Who Festival coming
Australia will host its first ever Doctor Who Festival, BBC Worldwide has announced. The two-day event, which is to be held in November in Sydney's Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, will feature actor Peter Capaldi, who plays the twelfth Doctor Who, and the show's producer, Steven Moffat. The BBC says more talent will be announced "in due course". Further information at doctorwho.tv.