Drama grows acquisition slate with the Red Tent

red tent

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Starring Minnie Driver, Rebecca Ferguson, Will Tudor, Iain Glenn and Debra Winger

Channel celebrates third birthday, having grown to be the second-biggest non-PSB in the UK

UKTV today announced that Drama has exclusively acquired hit Sony Pictures Television mini-series, The Red Tent, starring Minnie Driver. The acquisition comes as Drama celebrates its third birthday, having this year experienced sustained year-on-year growth meaning it is now the second biggest non-PSB in the UK.

The Red Tent is a sweeping tale set in Old Testament times, told through the eyes of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob. The 4x60 mini-series features a star-studded cast with Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominee, Driver (About a Boy), playing Leah, opposite Golden Globe nominee Rebecca Ferguson (The White Queen) as Dinah and Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) as Jacob.

The red tent is Dinahs home which she shares with all the women of her tribe, including her mother and Jacobs three other wives, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah. The tent is a place where the women swap stories, share advice and raise their daughters, but when Dinah falls desperately in love, her family oppose the match and she suffers a devastating loss. The cast also features Emmy-nominee Morena Baccarin (Homeland), Will Tudor (Game of Thrones) and Academy Award(R), Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment).

Alexandra Finlay, UKTVs head of acquisitions and co-productions said,

The Red Tent is a perfect addition to Dramas growing slate of shows, featuring an epic story with a fantastic ensemble cast. We are delighted to bring this exclusive first-run title to the channel.

This acquisition comes at a great moment for UKTVs Drama channel as it celebrates its third birthday. The channel has the accolade of the most successful channel launch in the television industry since UKTV launched Dave in 2007*. It has enjoyed consistent year-on-year growth and is now the second biggest non-PSB channel in the UK, second only to Dave.

Adrian Wills, general manager of Drama said,

The Red Tent is a thrilling combination of compelling storytelling and standout talent which Im sure our viewers will love. In 2016 Drama has grown its share by 37% year-on-year and this acquisition reflects the channels ambition to continue to drive growth.

Since launch, Drama programmes have exceed half a million viewers more than 25 times courtesy of some of the channels most popular shows such as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Inspector George Gently, New Tricks and Jonathan Creek. In only three years, Drama is already commanding an adult share of 1.2%, making it the fastest growing channel in the UK.

Over the last three years Drama has enjoyed many brand-defining moments. The channel launched with a ground-breaking publicity stunt that toured a giant Mr Darcy, the nations favourite leading man, around the country. The Pinkertons was Dramas first acquisition and over 600k viewers tuned into the premiere episode, up 238% vs. the slot average. And last year, Drama launched on UKTVs on demand service, UKTV Play.

The Red Tent will premiere on Drama early next year.

Source: BARB/Techedge. Jan to May 2016. *Measured by share.

ENDS

For more information contact: Katie Sheldrake, UKTV 07714957169 / Katie.sheldrake@uktv.co.uk

Notes to Editors: About Drama Freeview 20, Sky 158, Virgin 190, BT and TalkTalk 020

Drama is a channel that is passionate about bringing you Britains best-loved dramas. From period through to contemporary and comedy, the channel is a treasure trove of classics which showcase the greatest stories ever told in an entertaining and engaging way. With programmes including Call The Midwife, Pride and Prejudice, Sharpe, New Tricks and Silent Witness, viewers can indulge in a handpicked range of the nations most celebrated TV dramas.

drama.uktv.co.uk / @Drama_Channel

About UKTV UKTV is the biggest multichannel broadcaster in the UK.

The award-winning independent has eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food. These include the two most popular non-PSB channels in the UK and account for 9.31% of the British commercial TV market. The companys most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £319m and EBITDA of £82m. It invested £148m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.

UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat, Amazon Fire and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster in The Sunday Times top 100 companies list.

corporate.uktv.co.uk / press.uktv.co.uk / @uktv_press

LINK:	http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/drama-grows-acquisition-slate...
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