VIMN Secures Sales for Channel 5 Content

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has signed agreements with several third-party broadcasters for original factual-entertainment content produced by Channel 5, including Cruising with Jane McDonald, ahead of MIPCOM.

The deals for content in Channel 5’s library span multiple territories in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, including Australia, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and the U.K. Cruising with Jane McDonald, produced by Channel 5’s in-house production arm Elephant House Studios, was picked up by TV2 Danmark, along with the youth-focused series Young Britain.

In Australia, SBS and Seven between them secured more than ten shows, including Britain’s Greatest Bridges, Inside…, Heists That Shook the World and The Railways That Built Britain with Chris Tarrant. In the U.K., A&E Networks snapped up the pay-TV rights to Cleopatra, Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty and Britain’s Bloodiest Crown. Additionally, Channel 5’s “shock docs,” including Gold Digger and Proud, Mum’s Gone Wild and My Mum’s Hotter Than Me, were picked up by SBS Belgium, RTL Nederland and Polsat in Poland.

The Channel 5 library of content includes more than 50 titles such as Britain’s Greatest Bridges, Cleopatra and a drama documentary film on Wallis Simpson that will launch at MIPCOM and air on Channel 5 this fall. Reality series Body Freaks: Old Face, New Face, My Mum’s Hotter Than Me, My Perfect Instagram Body and Party Pensioners also form part of the VIMN sales slate.

“The welcome addition of Channel 5 titles to Viacom’s sales slate has allowed us to expand our genre offering, with a whole host of new factual-entertainment content that perfectly complements our already varied and blended portfolio,” commented Lauren Marriott, the VP of VIMN International program sales. “The interest we have received from our partners around the world reflects the series’ high quality and international appeal, and gives us another exciting opportunity to reach new audiences.”