The exclusive agreement follows Viacom's acquisition of Channel 5 in 2014. It will add a significant volume of UK content to VIMN's catalogue, which houses the brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Spike, TV Land, BET, CMT and VH1. The move is the latest example of the subsequent consolidation of the broadcaster into the wider VIMN group.
The deal comprises new titles such as Tattoo Disasters, which is currently outperforming the 9pm slot average for 16-34 year olds by 88% and has already has been sold to the ABC in Australia, and extends to third-party commissions where Channel 5 controls the rights, such as Lip Sync Battle UK, Channel 5-Whizz Kid Productions' remake of the hit Viacom-sold US lip-syncing format. The agreement covers all international territories outside of the U.K. and Ireland.
Channel 5 content was previously distributed by DRG.
New Channel 5 shows heading to Cannes next week with Viacom include Tribal Teens (3x60mins) and Heists That Shook the World (6x60mins).
Caroline Beaton, VIMN's Senior Vice President (SVP) of international program sales, said: "We are incredibly excited to add the Channel 5 portfolio of quality content to our slate ahead of MIPTV 2016. This agreement sees us cementing our productive collaboration with our colleagues at Channel 5, with both camps equally excited to bring these latest hit shows from the U.K. down to Cannes. With a vast range of captivating, creative and beautifully-produced programs, we look forward to bringing these shows to screens all around the world."
Sources: TVEurope, TBI Vision, Rapid TV News.
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