Storyline
CBS STUDIOS INTERNATIONAL AND CHANNEL 5 ANNOUNCE UK LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR TELEVISION FRANCHISES
Deal Includes “NCIS: New Orleans,” the Most-Watched New Series in the U.S., “NCIS,” the #1 Drama in the World, and the New “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”
Spinoff Series “CSI: CYBER”
CANNES, FRANCE – Oct. 14, 2014 – CBS Studios International and Channel 5 today announced a UK licensing agreement for the exclusive free-to-air television rights to CSI: CYBER and NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, the latest additions to the world’s most popular television franchises. The deal also includes the licensing rights to future seasons of NCIS, the most-watched TV drama in the world.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS recently debuted with 17.2 million viewers in the U.S., making it the most-watched new series during premiere week. Its second broadcast retained an impressive 95% of its premiere week audience. Both NCIS and the original CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION are licensed in more than 200 markets around the world.
“It’s an incredibly special year to have two spinoffs of the world’s most popular television franchises,” said Stephen Tague, Senior Vice President, Europe for CBS Studios International. “Both CSI and NCIS are pillars of the Channel 5 schedule and this deal gives loyal viewers access to the latest versions of these immensely popular programs.”
Channel 5’s Head of Acquisitions, Katie Keenan commented: “CSI and NCIS are record-breaking franchises, it’s great to be bringing the next instalments of both shows to Channel 5. Our viewers will love Patricia Arquette’s show stealing performance in CSI:Cyber and the fantastic ensemble cast lead by Scott Bakula in NCIS: NEW ORLEANS.”
CSI: CYBER stars Patricia Arquette as Avery Ryan, a cyber-psychologist who tracks crimes that start in the mind, live online and play out in the real world. Inspired by the real life cyber-psychologist Mary Aiken, Special Agent Ryan knows first-hand how today’s technology allows people to hide in the shadows of the Internet and commit serious crimes of global proportions.
CSI: CYBER also stars James Van Der Beek, Peter MacNicol, Charley Koontz and Shad Moss, and is executive produced by Carol Mendolsohn, Ann Donohue, Anthony Zuiker, Pam Veasey, Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman.
CSI: CYBER is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and distributed globally by CBS Studios International.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS is a drama about the local field office that investigates criminal cases affecting military personnel in The Big Easy, a city known for its music, entertainment and decadence. Leading the team is Special Agent Dwayne Pride, a.k.a. “King,” (Scott Bakula) a native of New Orleans who is driven by his need to do what is right. Working with Pride is Special Agent Christopher LaSalle (Lucas Black), who plays hard but works harder, and Special Agent Meredith “Merri” Brody (Zoe McLellan), a charismatic and tough interrogator who transferred from the Great Lakes office in search of a fresh start. Supporting them is coroner Dr. Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder), who is as eccentric as she is smart, and her brilliant and quirky forensic scientist, Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich). This colorful city that harbors a dark side is a magnet for service personnel on leave, and when overindulgence is followed by trouble, Pride’s team is at its best.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS is executive produced by Gary Glasberg, Mark Harmon, Jeffery Lieber and James Hayman, produced by CBS Television Studios and distributed globally by CBS Studios International.
About CBS Studios International
CBS Studios International is the leading supplier of programming to the international television marketplace, licensing to more than 200 markets in more than 30 languages across multiple media platforms. The Studio participates in international channel ventures, currently comprised of 22 channels in 20 languages across 87 territories reaching more than 100 million international households. CBS Studios International also exports a diverse line up of formats for local production around the world. The division distributes content from CBS Television Studios, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming. CBS Studios International is a division of CBS Corporation.
About Channel 5
The channel launched as Britain's fifth and final terrestrial broadcaster in March 1997. In July 2010, the network was sold to British media powerhouse Northern & Shell and it currently attracts well over 40 million viewers a month. We were the only terrestrial commercial family of channels and only terrestrial commercial channel to have grown year on year in 2012.
Channel 5 is the destination for must see entertainment, sport, documentary, children’s, drama, film and news output. Pivotal channel programming includes a diverse mix to attract viewers of all ages, including the Extraordinary People and Revealed strands, The Hotel Inspector, Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Wedding Planner, My Secret Past, Big Body Squad, Benidorm ER, Killers Behind Bars, Home & Away, Neighbours, 5 News as well as the award winning children's strand, Milkshake! Channel 5 is the terrestrial home of all England Cricket summer Internationals. Channel 5’s successful drama franchises include CSI, The Mentalist, Justified, Sons of Anarchy and Once Upon A Time. For more information, visit www.channel5.com.
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Press Contacts:
Jennifer Weingroff
CBS Studios International
+ 1 3235755460
Luke Fredberg
CBS Studios International
+ 44 (0) 20 7021 1099
Amy Vickery
Outside Organisation at Channel 5
+ 44 (0)20 8612 7699
