ITV Nabs Vampire Diaries, More Potter

LONDON/BURBANK: ITV has picked up the rights to the new The CW drama The Vampire Diaries from Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, along with the fifth release in the Harry Potter franchise, among other titles.

Based on the best-selling book series by L.J. Smith, The Vampires Diaries is a new drama from Kevin Williamson about two vampire brothers, one good, one evil, who are at war for the soul of a high school girl and the souls of her friends and family. ITV2 will broadcast the drama in 2010. The deal also includes Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which will premiere on ITV1. Other titles licensed from Warner Bros. include the new season of Gossip Girl, Happy Feet, the Batman, Oceans and Matrix franchises, plus library features.

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of Warner Bros International Television, noted: "Despite speculation as to U.K. buyers’ appetite and pricing for U.S. programs this year, the acquisition of The Vampire Diaries by ITV2 proves that in-demand series will still generate significant interest and license fees in the U.K. This show was one of the most highly sought-after at the LA Screenings, attracting interest from numerous broadcasters. We are especially pleased to place this series targeted at the youth audience on ITV2, as we believe this is the perfect home for the show, as evidenced by the success of Gossip Girl. We are also happy to add Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, available for broadcast later this year, to the collection of the four other Harry Potter titles already under contract to ITV, continuing to make ITV the U.K. television home of the most successful feature film franchise in history.”