Spooks Clinches U.S. Syndication Deal

NEW YORK: BBC Worldwide Americas has lined up syndication deals on the Kudos drama Spooks (also known as MI-5) with PBS stations across the U.S.

This is the largest upfront syndication deal yet for BBC Worldwide Americas, with the show cleared in 64 percent of U.S. markets. The hit BBC One series is rolling out to public TV stations in 85 markets this month. All 26×1-hour episodes in the first three seasons will air for the first time in the U.S. in their original, uncut format, after previously broadcasting on A&E and BBC America.

"MI-5 (Spooks) is nothing short of brilliant," said Bill Young, the VP of television broadcasting at KERA-Dallas TX. "It has all the makings to be the lynch-pin of the prime-time schedule for 2009. The series will definitely go a long way not only to attract new audiences to public television, but will continue to provide a series with the writing and production value that long-time viewers have always demanded and enjoyed on KERA and public television."

The stations lined up include WLIW in New York, KCET in Los Angeles, WGBH in Boston and KUHT in Houston, among others.