ABC Australia Takes ITV Titles

SYDNEY: ABC in Australia has picked up a raft of drama and comedy programming from ITV Studios Global Entertainment its prime-time grid.

This includes the feature-length drama Margot, produced by ITV Studios for the BBC. Another ITV production for the BBC, Miranda is a sitcom starring Miranda Hart of Absolutely Fabulous. ABC has also secured a number of ITV1 dramas, including the thriller Identity. Further titles include Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express, which ITV Studios Global Entertainment will debut at MIPTV.

Marena Manzoufas, the head of programming at ABC, said, “Today’s news will be one of ABC’s biggest U.K. acquisition deals in spring 2010. In an increasingly competitive and diversifying television market, U.K. scripts continue to connect and perform extremely well with our viewers. We’re delighted to confirm that ABC homes will be enjoying all-new Poirot and Marple this autumn, complemented with the very funny Miranda, a remarkable biopic about Margot Fonteyn and the highly charged Identity, which we believe will grip TV audiences.”

Augustus Dulgaro, the senior VP of distribution for Australia, New Zealand and Japan at ITV Studios, added, “We’re really pleased with today’s news, which extends ITV and ABC’s long and trusted relationship. The deal includes upcoming seasons of the long-running drama’s Poirot and Marple, which have established a strong following on ABC, together with all-new Identity and Miranda, which are both being tipped for second-series commissions.”