Viasat World Scores First-Run for International Broadcast of Taboo

LONDON: Viasat World has licensed the rights for the new Ridley Scott drama Taboo, which stars Tom Hardy.

The series will have a first-run broadcast and a five-month exclusive window across Russia, CIS and Ukraine starting in January, with the remaining episodes premiering on the same day as the U.K. broadcast on Viasat World’s flagship movie channel TV1000 Premium HD. Academy Award-nominated writer Steven Knight is also attached to the project.

The series is directed by Kristoffer Nyholm and Anders Engström and is distributed worldwide outside the U.K. by Sonar Entertainment.

“Viasat World is thrilled to provide our subscribers across Russia and CIS the opportunity to watch Taboo, a first-rate, scripted TV drama featuring Tom Hardy,” said Karin Heijink, the VP of channels and product for Viasat World. “We want to stay ahead and continue to bring cutting-edge programming to our Viasat Premium HD subscribers and are delighted to have acquired a Ridley Scott production.”

“Taboo is programming with enormous global appeal,” said David Ellender, the president of global distribution and co-productions at Sonar. “This collaboration with Viasat World ensures that the show’s audience reach in these territories will be optimal. Viasat World is a terrific partner and TV1000 Premium HD Channel is an outstanding home for this prestigious series.”