EXCLUSIVE: Every year, there are a handful of shows that are considered locks for pick up by UK broadcasters. This past season, shows that fitted into that category were The CW’s Arrow, Fox’s The Following, NBC’s Revolution and CBS’ Elementary, just to name a few. After the LA screenings last year, my sources were clear that multiple broadcasters were interested in each of those series. And that’s usually the way it works, after the various acquisitions departments sample what’s on offer from the various studios at the LA Screenings (usually around May 20th), they’ll make their decisions and go after the UK rights. Sometimes that leads to heated bidding as was the case with NBC’s Revolution – but the point is that the heavy buzz always happens after the LA screenings. Normally, no acquisitions executives will go out on a limb and already be keen on acquiring a given show before sampling it or even before it has landed a series order from one of the US networks. Except, that’s exactly what’s happened this year and given the two shows in question, that is, perhaps, no real surprise. I’ve learned that the acquisitions executives at no less than four UK broadcasters have got their eyes on either (and in one case both) the NCIS: Los Angeles spin-off NCIS: Red and ABC’s S.H.I.E.L.D. and are carefully monitoring pilot season in anticipation of series pick ups from CBS and ABC, respectively.