Foxtel has revealed the shortlist of production companies that are competing to take over the next season of the hit reality programme Australia’s Next Top Model.

Applications from Fremantle Media Australia, Shine Australia and Southern Star Endemol were the only three successful candidates from a general call for submissions of interest.

Foxtel"s executive director of television, Brian Walsh, said, "We have had considerable interest from the production sector, many of whom, tabled strong credentials to co-produce, with (Murdoch"s) Room 329 Productions, the next season of Australia’s Next Top Model.

"We have selected three from the list and Foxtel, along with Room 329, will work through the selection process in the course of the next few weeks."

Walsh acknowledged former production company Granada Australia, who was sacked from the show after six season, because of an embarrassing live gaffe involving host and executive producer Sarah Murdoch. "I would like to acknowledge the incumbent production company Granada Australia and thank them for nurturing the series over six successful seasons. We will continue to work with them on other productions in the future."

Murdoch incorrectly declared runner-up contestant Kelsey Martinovich the winner instead of Amanda Ware during this year"s series final. She later blamed the incident on a communication breakdown when the wrong name was fed to her ear piece.

Source

http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/12/14/foxtel-narrows-next-top-model-production-hunt/