Television
September 8, 2011
Universal Channel Acquires Major New US Dramas “Harry’s Law” And “Law & Order: Los Angeles”
(September 8, 2011 – London, UK) – Universal Channel has bolstered its portfolio of UK premiere content with the acquisition of two major new US dramas “Harry’s Law” and “Law & Order: Los Angeles.”
“Harry’s Law” is the latest US hit from Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley, the acclaimed writer and producer of “Boston Legal” and “Ally McBeal,” and stars Academy Award winner Kathy Bates in the eponymous lead role as Harriet ‘Harry’ Korn.
Launching in the US on NBC in January 2011 with over 11 million viewers, “Harry’s Law” ranked as NBC’s most-watched scripted series of the 2010–11 broadcast season and was subsequently renewed for a second season in May. Universal Channel has acquired the exclusive UK rights to both seasons of “Harry’s Law” from Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.
“Law & Oder; Los Angeles” is the latest spin-off of Dick Wolf’s hugely successful Law & Order franchise, originated for NBC in the States. Universal Channel, which is already the UK premiere home of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” has licensed the exclusive basic television rights in the UK to the West Coast-based series from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.
Laurence Dawkin-Jones, UK MD, Universal Networks International, said:
“Having moved higher up the EPG in February, our priority is to capitalize on Universal Channel’s new prominence by bringing viewers first run, exclusive content they will not find elsewhere. “Harry’s Law” and “Law & Order: Los Angeles” are terrific, high-quality titles which we are thrilled to claim Universal Channel is UK home to.”
“Law & Order: Los Angeles” will make its UK debut on Universal Channel on Monday 12th September at 9pm, whilst “Harry’s Law” will launch on Monday 10th October at 10pm.
“Harry’s Law” is a quirky, light-touch legal drama which follows Harriet Korn (Kathy Bates), a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who makes a fresh start after she is abruptly fired from her blue chip law firm. Setting up in the characteristically unconventional location of an abandoned shoe store, Harriet forms her own criminal law practice, Harry’s Law and Fine Shoes, with a team of unlikely kindred spirits. David E. Kelley created the series and serves as executive producer with Bill D’Elia. Produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television, season two of “Harry’s Law” premieres in the US on Wednesday, 21 September, at 9pm on NBC.
“Law & Order: Los Angeles” sets the classic crime-then-punishment storytelling of the landmark original series against the distinctive backdrop of LA. The drama follows the progression of cases as they are investigated by the LAPD's elite Robbery Homicide Division and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys. The regular ensemble cast includes Skeet Ulrich, Corey Stoll, and Alfred Molina. “Law & Order: Los Angeles” is a Wolf Films and Universal Media Studios production.
About Universal Channel:
Universal Channel is the home of gripping character-driven entertainment, specializing in crime, legal and medical procedural drama. A core brand of Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBCUniversal, Universal Channel’s portfolio of high-quality programming includes UK premieres of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Criminal Intent,” “Royal Pains” and “Rookie Blue.”
About NBCUniversal International Television Distribution:
NBCUniversal International Television Distribution, a division of NBCUniversal, is responsible for the distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media outside of the U.S. and Canada. This includes a rich library of more than 4,000 feature films and 75,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming, and locally produced content from around the world.
About Warner Bros. International Television Distribution:
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution is one of the world’s largest distributors of feature films, television programs and animation to the international television marketplace (broadcast, pay cable, basic cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital platforms, etc.). It licenses some 50,000 hours of programming (including more than 6,000 features and 70+ current series), dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.###