FremantleMedia Enterprises is betting that parkour and freerunning, up-and-coming sports that have already attracted an online crowd, can draw a TV audience.

The company said Thursday it has invested in and signed an exclusive partnership deal with Motion Inc., a specialist in the disciplines in the U.S., with the goal of turning the sports into global entertainment brands and league competitions.

FremantleMedia North America, the producer behind such TV hits as American Idol and America's Got Talent, is already developing a TV series featuring parkour.

Parkour is defined as getting somewhere quickly and efficiently using the human body, while freerunning is defined as moving through your environment however you want, moving your way and following your own path.

The two disciplines have made appearances on the big screen, such as in the opening sequences of Casino Royale in 2006 and in The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007. Millions of viewers have accessed videos about the activities on YouTube.

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