Visitors to Macquarie Leisure Trust's main asset, Dreamworld, will be
the first to view live footage of the worldwide television phenomenon
'Big Brother'.
The Big Brother series, scheduled to commence screening in Australia
on April 24, will transform Dreamworld's amphitheatre into an
interactive, live television studio.
Visitors to the purpose built studio complex at Dreamworld will see
the action unfold between the 'Big Brother' housemates as it happens,
before it is posted on the website or reported in newspapers.
'Big Brother' is a reality television soap where 12 people live
together in a purpose built house and are filmed 24 hours a day over
a l2 week period. Each week the housemates and viewers vote one of
the housemates 'out' of the house with the last remaining person
declared the winner.
Following the TV soap format, each week night 'Big Brother' will
screen a highlights segment on activities in the house and will do a
live program on Sundays from the Dreamworld Studios called the
'Sunday Night Eviction Show'.
According to Ms Francina Kok, Macquarie Leisure's General Manager,
the Australian version of 'Big Brother' will be one of Australia's
biggest television productions.
"Dreamworld's Big Brother attraction will allow visitors to immerse
themselves in 'behind the scenes action' - they will see footage
beamed live from the house, footage that wont necessarily make it
onto television," Ms Kok said.
"As the show takes off, Dreamworld visitors will be able to purchase
tickets to the all important 'Sunday Night Eviction Show' - a concept
that was so popular in Germany that more than 6,000 fans turned up
each week.
"The Dreamworld production facility will be the site for further
series of 'Big Brother', which has gone into its second series in
each country in which it has been screened so far," Ms Kok said.
'Big Brother' will screen at prime time on Channel 10 each week
night, with the 'Sunday Night Eviction Show' setting the scene for
events in the 'house' the following week.
Dreamworld has also developed other related 'Big Brother' attractions
and revenue streams including:
* Big Brother Cafe, which is modelled on the house complete with
Internet hook-up
* photo opportunities with the Big Brother Confessional Chair
* Big Brother merchandise
* Big Brother education packages for students, featuring television
industry guest lecturers and tours
These products will complement the additional awareness of Dreamworld
created by 'Big Brother' in key demographics across Australia.
On completion of the 'Big Brother' series, Dreamworld will retain the
television studio and explore opportunities for major television and
entertainment events for the venue.
Macquarie Leisure also owns the d'Albora Marinas group which has four
marinas in New South Wales - two in Sydney Harbour, and one each in
Pittwater and Port Stephens.
Macquarie Leisure listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in July
1998 and is one of a number of sector specific listed property trusts
managed by Macquarie Bank's Property Investment Management Division
and its associates. The division manages over $3.0 billion in
property through four sector specific listed trusts and six property
syndications.
