The Vikings are coming….again.
Amazon Prime Instant Video UK has picked up the exclusive rights to the third season of History’s scripted series Vikings after agreeing a deal with international distributor MGM Television, TVWise has learned.
The third season will premiere on the streaming service on Friday February 20th, less than 24 hours after it debuts on History in the United States. Subsequent episodes will then be made available to Prime members every Friday, through to the season three finale at the end of April.
Created by Michael Hirst, Vikings follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, a historical figure, and the greatest hero of his age – and the gripping sagas of Ragnar’s band of Viking brothers and his family – as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. The drama series stars Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment), Travis Fimmel (The Beast), Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee), Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back), Clive Standen (Camelot) and Katheryn Winnick (Stand Up Guys).
The show’s third season sees Ragnar, now King of Denmark, lead his people to an uncertain fate on the shores of Wessex. Ever the restless wanderer, Ragnar is searching for something more – and he finds it in the mythical city of Paris. Rumoured to be impenetrable to outside forces, Ragnar and his band of Norsemen must come together to break down its walls and cement the Vikings legend in history.
This deal further extends Amazon Prime Instant Video UK’s relationship with MGM Television. The two companies originally inked a deal in 2013 for Vikings, which gave Amazon (then operating under the LOVEFiLM brand) the exclusive rights to the first two seasons. Since then the show has been a key title for Amazon’s UK streaming service, with Vikings being one their most watched series.
“Vikings keeps going from strength to strength, with each season proving more popular with our members than the last. We’re delighted to be bringing the next chapter in Ragnar’s adventures to Amazon Prime Instant Video customers for unlimited streaming” said Chris Bird, Amazon’s Film & TV Strategy Director, “Expect new power struggles, bloodshed, rivalry, reunions and of course epic high definition Viking battle scenes.”
While Chris Ottinger, MGM Television’s President of International Television Distribution & Acquisitions, added: “The Vikings entertainment invasion continues, with the series viewed in almost every market in the world. MGM Television is delighted to continue our relationship with Amazon Prime Instant Video, whose customers have become loyal members of our UK Vikings clan.”
