LOVEFiLM has closed a deal with Fox International Channels (FIC) to secure the exclusive UK streaming rights to AMC’s zombie drama series The Walking Dead, which until now has been unavailable on any OTT service in the UK.
UKTV and Pepsi MAX – who is already a sponsor of Dynamo – have announced a new sponsorship deal, with Pepsi MAX sponsoring all showings of Dynamo Magician Impossible on Watch until the end of 2013. In addition, it has also been announced that, in a first for UKTV, the two have teamed together for Dynamo Unlock, a second-screen promo campaign to premiere the first episode of the show’s third season on the Watch website before it airs on television on July 11th.
Netflix has renewed their original series Hemlock Grove for a second season of 10 episodes. With the renewal, it becomes the second Netflix original series to make it to a second season; with the other being political drama House of Cards. Charles H. Eglee is joining Hemlock Grove as Executive Producer/Showrunner for its second season, which is slated to begin production later this year for a 2014 premiere.
FX is bulking up on Lionsgate/Debmar-Mercury sitcoms. The cable network has picked up the as-yet untitled Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence comedy in a 10/90 deal. Per the terms of this deal (which is identical to those struck with Lionsgate/Debmar-Mercury for Anger Management and Saint George), the series has been given an order for 10 episodes and assuming certain ratings criteria are met during the initial 10 episode run, a further order for 90 episodes will be automatically triggered.
Noted author Vince Flynn has passed away aged 47 following a long battle with prostate cancer, TVWise has confirmed. He is survived by his wife Lysa and three children.
UPDATE, July 4th: The Walking Dead is on the move. Following less than stellar ratings in its 11 pm time-slot, C5 execs have moved new episodes of AMC’s zombie series to the Sunday night 10pm time-slot on sister channel 5*. Repeats of new episodes will air on Channel 5 at midnight on Tuesdays.
The third season of BBC One’s drama series Luther will premiere on Tuesday July 2nd at 9pm, it has been announced.
The second season of ABC’s drama series Scandal will receive its UK premiere on More4 on Thursday July 4th at 9pm, it has been announced.