UKTV s Drama secures its first US series premiere with the Pinkertons

28 January 2015

UKTVs Drama channel picks up US series The Pinkertons(R) from Zodiak Rights

On 1st December 2014 the channel attracted its highest audience to date with 596k for Inspector George Gently

In 2014 Drama exceeded 1% share on 23 occasions

UKTVs Drama channel has picked up Zodiak Rights US series The Pinkertons(R) (22x60) as it builds on its growing success. The Pinkertons(R) is the first original and exclusive US acquisition for the channel as Drama extends its programme offering in 2015.

The Pinkertons(R), an action-adventure crime drama series set in a young and wild America, draws from the real cases of Pinkertons National Detective Agency founder Allan Pinkerton, played by Scottish actor Angus MacFayden (Braveheart, Chuck). The series also follows Allans son, William (Jacob Blair) and Americas first female detective, Kate Warne (Martha MacIsaac), as they solve crimes throughout the Wild West of the 1860s. It is produced by Canadian production companies Rosetta Media and Buffalo Gal Pictures, and created by Alpine Labs who are based in the US.

The acquisition follows Dramas first full year of broadcast, which saw the channel successfully grow its share to 0.78% and break through the 1% share mark on 23 occasions. Drama now reaches an average of 10 million adults per month, pulling in audiences of over half a million for popular shows such as New Tricks and Inspector George Gently.

Adrian Wills, General Manager for Drama, commented,

2014 was a huge success for Drama and it is the right time to broaden the channels content line up by premiering brilliant US dramas to our viewers first, ahead of other UK broadcasters. The Pinkertons(R) will complement the channels existing slate of dramas and Im sure viewers will enjoy this compelling series.

Emma Sparks, Acquisitions and Co-Productions Manager added,

The Pinkertons(R) is the perfect fit for the channel as we move forward in looking for brand new and exclusive dramas to broaden the channels portfolio of content. It is great to be working alongside Zodiak Rights to secure some of their best programmes.

Allan Pinkerton was known for revolutionizing detective work by creating numerous forensic technologies, and he is considered the originator of the fingerprint, mug shot, use of surveillance, and undercover work. Perhaps his boldest innovation was Kate Warne. Allan broke with convention when he hired Kate, teaching her his new forensic techniques, and developing her into a master of disguise, able to cleverly infiltrate both high and low society. No one ever saw her coming. The series will air on Drama later this year.

END

Notes to Editors:

The Pinkertons(R) is a registered trademark.

For more information, please contact:

Gemma Pinkney, Publicist

Lara Feinstein, Corporate Communications Coordinator

About Drama Sky 158, Virgin 190, Freeview 20, 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, Larkrise to Candleford and Silk, viewers can indulge in a handpicked range of the nations most celebrated TV dramas.

About UKTV UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers every month.

UKTVs eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, Watch, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food - include the most popular non-PSB channel in the UK and account for 9% of the British commercial TV market. The companys most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £278m, and EBITDA of £67.4m. It invested a record £125m 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 and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.

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

About Zodiak Rights Zodiak Rights is the international distribution and rights exploitation arm of Zodiak Media. The company is a market leader in the worldwide distribution of television and home entertainment programming across all platforms. It also has a fully-fledged merchandising and licensing arm and digital exploitation team.

Zodiak Rights represents a catalogue of over 20,000 hours of high quality content across all genres including kids, drama, theatrical, factual and entertainment.

Zodiak Rights award-winning scripted programming includes: Being Human the supernatural hit for BBC Three and Syfy US; Wallander the BAFTA award-winning drama series for BBC One starring Kenneth Branagh; Braquo the top-rating French drama; ground-breaking political suspense thriller Occupied; The Returned an International Emmy Award winner sold in 110 territories; and The Pinkertons brand new US procedural drama.

Finished programming and format highlights include: global smash hit Wife Swap; Fort Boyard the legendary adventure game show which has celebrated its 20th anniversary; Long running international ratings hit Hardcore Pawn; New Swedish primetime formats Dropped and Trash or Treasure; and Loc

LINK:	http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktvs-drama-secures-its-first...
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