Sundance Channel Global Secures Rights from Entertainment (eOne) Television to Air Worldwide Hit The Walking Dead in France and French-Speaking Belgium
MIPTV – Cannes, France – 4 April 2011 – In a move that both strengthens and expands Sundance Channel Global’s primetime original programming, Rainbow Media Global has acquired rights to the hit series The Walking Dead in France and French-speaking Belgium from Entertainment (eOne) Television, a leading international company. The announcement was made today by Harold Gronenthal, Rainbow Media Global Senior Vice President and General Manager.
"Sundance Channel Global has staked its claim as the home for cinematic-quality original programming and The Walking Dead is the perfect addition to our slate," stated Harold Gronenthal, SVP and GM of Rainbow Media Global. "With its depth of storytelling and global appeal, The Walking Dead gives us an opportunity to raise the bar significantly within this popular genre."
Set to air on Sundance Channel in France and French-speaking Belgium this December, The Walking Dead is an epic, edge-of-your-seat drama where personal struggles are magnified against a backdrop of moment-to-moment survival. A survivalist story at its core, the series explores how the living are changed by the overwhelming realization that those who survive can be far more dangerous than the mindless walkers roaming the earth. They themselves have become the walking dead. Rights to the season were acquired for Sundance Channel from Entertainment One.
The Walking Dead is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. Kirkman serves as an executive producer on the project and three-time Academy Award-nominee Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) serves as writer, director and executive producer. The series is led by a cast that includes Lincoln (Teachers, Love Actually) as Rick Grimes, Jon Bernthal (The Pacific, The Ghost Writer) as Shane Walsh, Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break) as Lori Grimes, Laurie Holden (The Shield, Stephen King’s The Mist) as Andrea, Jeffrey DeMunn (Stephen King’s The Mist, The Green Mile) as Dale, Steven Yeun (The Big Bang Theory) as Glen, Emma Bell (The Bedford Diaries) as Amy and Chandler Riggs (Get Low) as Carl Grimes.
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 independent films, documentaries and original programs that represent the best in emerging culture. 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.
About Entertainment (eOne) One Television
Entertainment One (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.