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ITV has signed an international production partnership with 20th Century Fox Television, it has been confirmed.

The contract will see the two companies looking to use successful shows and formats for production and broadcast in their home markets, with plans already in motion for a UK version of Golden Globe winner Dharma and Greg.

The two companies will also use each other's production facilities, with the potential for British series to shoot across the Atlantic, and a co-financed joint development fund has been established to formulate new programming.

Dana Walden and Gary Newman, co-chairmen of 20th Century Fox TV, said the deal was a signal of American broadcasters' respect for British TV offerings.

"We have long recognised that American producers do not have a monopoly on creativity or ideas for great television series," they explained.

"ITV has a fantastic library and a vibrant, innovative development slate and we couldn't be more excited about this partnership.

"We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work."

And Lee Bartlett, global content managing director for ITV and a recent recruit from Fox, said the agreement opened the door to the biggest TV market on the planet.

"Both ITV and Fox are committed to delivering superlative programming that appeals to the largest possible audience," he went on.

"This agreement presents tremendous opportunities for a transatlantic cross-fertilisation of ideas and talent - it is also testament to the high regard in which major Hollywood producers regard ITV’s writing and producing talent."