British Crime Dramas Prove Popular for BBC Worldwide

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has sold more than 900 hours of British crime drama, including Sherlock, Luther and Happy Valley, into a range of markets globally.

CANAL+ purchased Luther (season four), Prey (season two) and Happy Valley (season two), while France 3 licensed Prey, Unforgotten and Happy Valley (season one). In Germany, Degeto went for Maigret, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, and Sherlock (season four) and Prey (season two) were sold to WDR. ZDF acquired the recent Luther special, while ZDFneo renewed its license to air all episodes of Inspector Lynley.

Sherlock, Death in Paradise (season five), Unforgotten and Luther (seasons three and four) are part of a package totaling 232 hours that was sold to SVT in Sweden, while TV4 acquired Silent Witness. In Denmark, DR licensed Luther (season four) and TV2 has taken on Doctor Foster, among a number of other titles. Norway’s NRK and Finland’s YLE also bought a range of crime titles, including Prey (season two) and Happy Valley (season two).

Czech Television in the Czech Republic, Pickbox in Croatia and Channel One in Russia have secured Sherlock: The Abominable Bride. In Hungary, CLT UFA secured Miss Marple and Sherlock (seasons one through three) and Father Brown (seasons three and four) have been licensed to MTVA.

In the Middle East, a number of crime drama titles have been sold, including Sherlock (seasons one through three) to Al Araby, the entire catalogue of Spooks to Israel’s Hot Telecommunications and Happy Valley, Unforgotten and Sherlock (seasons one through three) to YES DBS Satellite.

A recent deal with Showmax (VOD platform of Multichoice) saw titles such as Ripper Street and Luther travel to Africa.

More than 200 hours of crime drama have been sold across Asia. The Coroner was licensed to AXN Mystery in Japan. In South Korea, Father Brown (seasons two and three) has gone to PBC (PTV), Sherlock (seasons one through three) has been purchased by CJ E&M (PTV) and SK Broadband. SK Broadband also bought Luther (seasons one and two). PCCW in Hong Kong opted for An Inspector Calls and AXN India ordered Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, while Star India has signed for Luther (season four).

Prime has picked up The Coroner and Unforgotten for the first time on New Zealand free-to-air television, as well as the much-loved Father Brown. In Australia, New Tricks, Wallander, DCI Banks and Father Brown have all been renewed for ABC.

Paul Dempsey, the president of global markets at BBC Worldwide, said: “British crime drama is hugely popular around the world and accounts for over 40 percent of our drama revenue. Showcase is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the range and quality of our crime slate in the company of some of the world’s most watched heroes and villains.”

Liam Keelan, the director of scripted content at BBC Worldwide, said: “Great British crime drama comes in many forms but they all have brilliant acting and superb writing in common. It’s clear that the demand for these nail-biting stories has never been stronger across the globe; a real testament to BBC Worldwide’s on-and-off-screen talent.”