DirecTV's Audience Network Acquires Acclaimed British Series "UNCLE" from BBC Worldwide North America
EL SEGUNDO, CA, August 6, 2014 - DirecTV announced today that it has acquired the acclaimed BBC Three comedy series, UNCLE, from BBC Worldwide North America. The series about an out-of-work musician who forges an unlikely alliance with his 12-year-old nephew will premiere on DirectTV's Audience Network Wednesday, October 14 at 8:30pm ET/PT. The announcement comes shortly after DirecTV recently wrapped production on its first original comedy series, Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight.
"UNCLE is another original, funny and at times excoriatingly awkward but ultimately warm comedy from Baby Cow," said Matt Forde, EVP, Sales & Co-productions BBC Worldwide North America. "I am sure that U.S. audiences are going to fall in love with Andy and Errol."
"We are excited to add UNCLE, a series that is both hilarious and endearing, to Audience Network's diverse programming line-up," said Chris Long, SVP Original Content and Programming, DirecTV. "We recently announced our first foray into producing an original comedy series and we think UNCLE will wonderfully complement our inaugural effort."
UNCLE follows the comic misadventures and growing pains of Andy (Nick Helm), a thirty-something man-child who forges an unlikely alliance with his neurotic 12 year old nephew Erroll (Elliot Speller-Gillott), after being emotionally blackmailed by his sister Sam (Daisy Haggard) to care for the youngster. The seemingly simple task has near disastrous results, involving a faked injury, a car crash and a lot of lying but ultimately teaches Andy what it really means to be part of a family, albeit an unconventional one. UNCLE also stars Con O'Neill, Esther Smith, Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Sydney Rae White.
UNCLE is written and directed by Oliver Refson, produced by Alison MacPhail and executive produced by Lindsay Hughes and Henry Normal of Baby Cow Productions.The deal was brokered between Chelsea Hassler, Manager, Scripted Sales, BBC Worldwide North America and DirecTV.
###
About Audience: Audience is a unique and exclusive television experience available only to DirecTV subscribers. The channel first made its mark in 2008 (as The 101 Network) by partnering with NBC to produce and air three additional seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and in 2010 it became the exclusive home of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning drama Damages, starring Glenn Close. DirecTV continues its commitment to original content with series including ROGUE, an exclusive suspense-drama starring award-winning actress Thandie Newton, and Full Circle, the television debut of acclaimed writer Neil LaBute, starring Kate Walsh, Julian McMahon, Minka Kelly and David Boreanaz. The network has become the premier destination for smart, innovative and critically acclaimed TV fare as we search the globe for the best new series such as Hit & Miss (United Kingdom), Rake (Australia), Call Me Fitz and Less Than Kind (Canada). The Dan Patrick Show, and its companion series The Box Score, keep sports fans up to date with the latest sports talk. Viewers also enjoy the Guitar Center Sessions series and major events such as the annual DirecTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. For more info, please visit www.DirecTV.com/audience
About DirecTV: DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 36 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DirecTV offers its over 20 million customers access to more than 190 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DirecTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, andother Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 16 million customers. DirecTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DirecTV, please visit www.DirecTV.com
About BBC Worldwide North America Sales and Co-Productions: BBC Worldwide North America Sales & Distribution is one of five core businesses operating in the U.S. under BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK public service broadcaster, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). BBC Worldwide exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the UK license payer and invests in programming in return for rights. The Sales & Distribution business negotiates, sells and distributes television programs to networks and secures co-production partners in the region.
|