Critically Acclaimed, Award-Winning Drama to Air February 2011
MIPCOM, Cannes, France – 6 October, 2010 – As part of its ongoing commitment to deliver bold, fresh and uncompromising original programming, films and specials, Sundance Channel France has acquired the rights to the acclaimed, award-winning drama, Mad Men. The network will present the French HD premiere of Season One when it begins airing the series in February 2011. This is the first time the acclaimed series will be seen in high definition in France.
One of the most celebrated shows on television, Mad Men recently received its third consecutive Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and earlier this year, received its third consecutive Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series.
Mad Men cast members Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss participated in a MIPCOM press conference to celebrate the first anniversary of Sundance Channel France on Wednesday, 6 October. Sundance Channel founder Robert Redford also attended. Harold Gronenthal, Senior Vice President and General Manager Rainbow Media Global, said: "We’re thrilled to present the HD premiere of Mad Men Season One to our French viewers. Sundance Channel is committed to providing high-quality entertainment with distinct and original storytelling, which makes Mad Men a perfect fit for the network."
"The show is a cultural phenomenon in the US and we believe that the incredible quality of the series, with its carefully rendered, entertaining and compelling portrayal of the advertising industry in the 1960s, holds great global appeal," added Gronenthal.
Set in 1960s New York, Mad Men is a sexy and provocative original drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. The series’ award-winning ensemble includes: Golden Globe-winner Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, and John Slattery. Mad Men is created, written and executive produced by Matthew Weiner (Executive Producer/Writer, The Sopranos), co-executive produced by Scott Hornbacher (The Sopranos), and produced by Lionsgate.
In the United States, Mad Men is the only basic cable series ever to win back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series (2008, 2009, 2010), and back-to-back Golden Globes® for Best Television Series – Drama (2008, 2009, 2010). It has gained unprecedented recognition and has been hailed as, "One of the most critically acclaimed TV shows ever," by the New York Post. TV Guide called it "madly, marvelously mesmerizing," while the New York Times said, "It’s a sleek, hard boiled drama with a soft, satirical core."
About Sundance Channel
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, 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 films, documentaries and original programs. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters, IFC Midnight and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.