CBS Studios International Clinches Channel 4, Sky1 Deals

LONDON: CBS Studios International has sold The Good Wife to More4, Accidentally on Purpose to E4 and NCIS: Los Angeles to Sky1.

The critically lauded The Good Wife, starring Julianna Marguilies and Chris Noth, premieres in the U.K. on More4 with repeats on Channel 4. It launches in 2010, as does Accidentally on Purpose, a new sitcom with Jenna Elfman and British actress Ashley Jensen, on E4. Channel 4’s head of acquisitions, Gill Hay, said of the purchases: “The Good Wife is an exceptional drama with a prestigious cast and we are extremely proud to add this to More4’s wide-ranging portfolio of high-quality U.S. series. And Accidentally on Purpose completes E4’s vibrant lineup of brand-new acquisitions.”

Late yesterday, CBS Studios International announced that it had sold the new hit series NCIS: Los Angeles to Sky for an October 21 premiere. The deal grants the rights to the show to Sky1, Sky1 HD, Sky2 and Sky3. A spin-off of the long-running drama NCIS, the new series, starring LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell, debuted to more than 18 million viewers in the U.S.

Sky1 HD’s head of acquisitions, Sarah Wright, said of the show: "It is a fast-paced, action-packed drama which we know our customers will love and will be a great addition to our existing acquisitions.”

Stephen Tague, the senior VP for Europe at CBS Studios International, added: "We are pleased to have Sky as a broadcast partner for NCIS: Los Angeles. This series has garnered a lot of buzz and interest throughout the world since the L.A. Screenings and we look forward to sharing it with U.K. audiences.”