Sky One catches a break with 'Prison'
June 06, 2007
LONDON -- Sky One has beaten out the Five channel for the rights to Season 3 of "Prison Break" in a deal thought to be worth £500,000 ($996,400) per episode, the network said Tuesday. It also grabbed the rights to Fox's "Journeyman."
Sky One acquisitions chief David Smyth said the shows are the "perfect addition" to its slate of U.S. shows, adding that "Journeyman" was the "standout pilot" at this year's L.A. Screenings, where the deals were concluded. The series centers on time-traveling Kevin McKidd, who reconnects with a fiancee who died in a plane crash.
Steve Cornish, managing director of 20th Century Fox Distribution, said both shows will appeal to Sky's core audience. "We look forward to working with Sky to make 'Prison Break' and 'Journeyman' work for them," Cornish said.
Season 2 of "Prison Break" attracted audiences of about 1.4 million viewers and an 8 share on terrestrial network Five.
Sky has proven an aggressive player in bidding for U.S. hits that have aired on other broadcasters. Last year, it paid more than £1 million ($2 million) per episode to outbid Channel 4 for the third and fourth seasons of "Lost," in what is thought to be the most expensive acquisitions deal to date in the U.K.
Sky One acquisitions chief David Smyth said the shows are the "perfect addition" to its slate of U.S. shows, adding that "Journeyman" was the "standout pilot" at this year's L.A. Screenings, where the deals were concluded. The series centers on time-traveling Kevin McKidd, who reconnects with a fiancee who died in a plane crash.
Steve Cornish, managing director of 20th Century Fox Distribution, said both shows will appeal to Sky's core audience. "We look forward to working with Sky to make 'Prison Break' and 'Journeyman' work for them," Cornish said.
Season 2 of "Prison Break" attracted audiences of about 1.4 million viewers and an 8 share on terrestrial network Five.
Sky has proven an aggressive player in bidding for U.S. hits that have aired on other broadcasters. Last year, it paid more than £1 million ($2 million) per episode to outbid Channel 4 for the third and fourth seasons of "Lost," in what is thought to be the most expensive acquisitions deal to date in the U.K.
