ITV Studios Continues Strong Sales

October 9, 2009 World Screen

CANNES: ITV Studios Global Entertainment sold more than 40 hours of prime-time drama series to Fox Channels Italy, while Romanian Television went for more than 200 hours of programming.

Included in the Fox Channels Italy deal were Murdoch Mysteries, Bonekickers and The Persuaders. Murdoch Mysteries was also part the package to Romanian Television, which picked up further titles such as the factual programs The Seven Wonders of China and Victorian Sex Explorer. The titles for Romania are set to air on Romanian Television’s flagship TVR and TVR HD channels.

In a separate deal, ITV Studios-owned Granada Germany has been commissioned by German pubcaster ZDFneo to produce a local version of the hit U.K. entertainment format Four Weddings. The series first premiered on LIVING, and was recently commissioned in the U.S. by TLC.

At the Dallas Toy Fair, ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Zinkia signed deals on the animated kids’ series Pocoyo. Univision took the first and second season of Pocoyo and the Pocoyo Space Circus Special for U.S. Spanish-language broadcast. WGBH Boston took the first two seasons as well, for English-speaking syndication to the American Public Television (APT) market. Playhouse Disney relicensed the first two seasons for Asia.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment secured a deal with ESPN Classic for more than 150 hours of new programming. The agreement covers new programming from ITV Studios, featuring titles from the ITV Classic Sports archive catalogue. The ITV Classic Sports portfolio includes coverage and events from famous sporting moments and tournaments.