New Series to Debut on Sundance Channel & WE tv International Channels in 2012
MIPCOM – Cannes, France/New York, NY – 4 October 2011 – AMC/Sundance Channel Global today announced it has acquired the rights to a wide range of new productions and acclaimed series to debut in 2012, including Hell on Wheels, Breaking Bad and The Slap for Sundance Channel Global and Shannen Says for WE tv Asia. The acquisitions reinforce the company’s commitment to offering high quality programming to international audiences across multiple platforms.
Hell on Wheels is a 10×60’ series debuting this autumn on AMC in the U.S. Premiere window. First-Window rights for Sundance Channel in Asia have been acquired from Entertainment One (eOne). As previously announced, Sundance Channel will have premiere window rights in Portugal, Eastern and Central Europe and broadcast rights in Spain through an agreement with Endemol.
Premiere window rights for Breaking Bad, the Emmy® Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama, have been acquired for Sundance Channel in Asia from Sony Pictures Television. The agreement includes rights to the series through season four (7×60’ season 1; 13×60’ seasons 2-4).
The Slap is a new 8×60’ drama series based on the bestselling book by Christos Tsiolkas. Sundance Channel has acquired rights in Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Asia, and will debut the series through an agreement with DCD Rights.
Shannen Says is a new 8×60’ non-fiction series from WE tv U.S. starring actress Shannen Doherty (Charmed, Beverly Hills 90210).
“These new productions and award-winning series will offer our international audiences access to a wide range of great entertainment – from provocative drama to appealing characters and engaging personalities,” commented Harold Gronenthal, Senior Vice President & General Manager of AMC/Sundance Channel Global. “Through acquisitions and original programming, we are committed to providing a diverse line-up of high quality programming to serve audiences for Sundance Channel Global and WE tv Asia.”
Hell on Wheels is a contemporary western that takes place after the American Civil War and centers on former confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon, portrayed by Anson Mount (City by the Sea, Cook County), whose quest for vengeance has led him to the Union Pacific Railroad’s westward construction of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Developed by Endemol USA and produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Nomadic Pictures in Alberta, Hell on Wheels is Created, Written and Executive Produced by Joe and Tony Gayton (Faster, Uncommon Valor). Joining the Gaytons are eOne Television’s CEO John Morayniss (The Firm, Hung) and EVP Creative Affairs Michael Rosenberg (Hung, The Riches) who oversee production in partnership with Producers Mike Frislev and Chad Oakes at Nomadic Pictures. Other Executive Producers include Jeremy Gold (How You Look to Me), Endemol’s SVP of Scripted Programming, John Shiban (Breaking Bad, The X-Files) and David Von Ancken (Californication, CSI:NY), who Directed the pilot. AMC’s Joel Stillerman, SVP of Original Programming, Production and Digital Content, Susie Fitzgerald, SVP of Scripted Programming, and Jason Fisher, SVP of Production, oversees series production for the network. In addition to Mount, the series stars Common (Just Wright, Date Night), Dominique McElligott (Moon) and Colm Meaney (Get Him to the Greek).
Breaking Bad follows protagonist Walter White (played by Emmy® Award winner Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who lives with his wife, teenage son who has cerebral palsy and a new baby girl. White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of two years left to live. With a new sense of fearlessness based on his medical prognosis, and a desire to gain financial security for his family, White chooses to enter a dangerous world of drugs and crime and quickly ascends to power. Breaking Bad is produced by High Bridge Productions, Inc. and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television for AMC in the U.S. Executive Producers are Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson, and Michelle MacLaren.
Set in Australia, The Slap examines the repercussions when an adult slaps an unrelated young child at a barbecue attended by a group of family and friends. While the three year old had been misbehaving throughout the day, the event brings the party to a sudden halt. The child’s parents vow to take the man to court, and as the police become involved, family and friends are forced to take sides.
The series stars Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, Doctor Who), Jonathan La Paglia (Cold Case, Bones), Melissa George (Grey’s Anatomy, In Treatment), Essie Davis (Australia, Girl With a Pearl Earring), Alex Dimitriades (Underbelly, Neighbours), Anthony Hayes (Animal Kingdom, Look Both Ways), Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate, Blessed), Lex Marinos (The Last Days of Chez Nous, A Country Practice) and Blake Davies (Tangle, Dead Gorgeous). The Slap is from Matchbox Pictures for ABC Australia, Screen Australia, Film Victoria and DCD Rights. The series is produced by Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden and Michael McMahon. Executive Producer is Penny Chapman, and the series is written by Emily Ballou, Alice Bell, Brendan Cowell, Kris Mrksa and Cate Shortland.
Shannen Says showcases Doherty’s relationship with photographer Kurt Iswarienko. Viewers will witness the challenging, comical, and dramatic moments that ensue when two people – with two different backgrounds – come together, bringing along their own sets of opinionated friends and family. Their complicated, and often hilarious, journey also includes wedding preparations, a house tragedy that may end in lawsuits, and the next chapter of Doherty’s burgeoning acting career. Shannen Say is produced by RelativityREAL and No Apologies Productions. Executive Producers for WE tv are John Miller and Kathleen Farrell.
About Sundance Channel Global
Dedicated to founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, imaginative and uncompromising, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of high-quality independent films, documentaries and original programs. Sundance Channel Global is available in countries throughout Europe and Asia. Owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., Sundance Channel is a highly recognizable and magnetic brand that is available in HD and across multiple platforms.
About WE tv Asia
WE tv is the women’s network devoted to the wild ride of relationships in life’s defining moments. Available in countries throughout Asia, the network’s programming includes viewer favorites such as Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover as well as a robust line-up of wedding series, including the hit shows Bridezillas, Amazing Wedding Cakes and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. Owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., WE tv is available in HD and across multiple platforms.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc., owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company.