Keshet International Sells Gone Fishing to UKTV

Keshet International has completed a deal with UKTV for the BAFTA-nominated Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, produced by Owl Power.

The second-window rights deal will see both seasons of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing broadcast on Dave in the U.K. Season one will air from August this year, and the second in early 2021.

The series, which was originally transmitted on BBC Two, follows the lifelong friends and comedic royalty duo of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, who spend each half-hour episode on the riverbanks of Britain catching a key species of fish. While Whitehouse uses his extensive knowledge of fishing to guide Mortimer, Mortimer is responsible for hunting out places to stay and creating heart-healthy menus throughout their travels.

Keren Shahar, KI’s COO and president of distribution, said: “The beauty of this show is the magic created when two beloved and iconic comedians chew the cud about anything and everything—from show business to solitude, relationships and romance—while trying to catch fish in some of the most beautiful countryside in the U.K. It’s pure escapism. We’re delighted to be able to bring Gone Fishing to a wider British audience on Dave.”

Gaby Sumray, UKTV’s acquisitions executive, said: “These series brought so much joy to BBC audiences and with the frustrations that we’re all experiencing during lockdown, we hope Dave viewers can escape to a place where Bob and Paul—two of the U.K.’s most treasured comedy greats—can provide entertainment, escapism and calm among the banks of the U.K.’s beautiful rivers.”