New cable channel buys international comedy drama

An Australian comedy drama will anchor the launch evening of Participant Media’s new US cable channel Pivot.

Please Like Me, which is inspired by the awkward real-life experiences of Aussie comic Josh Thomas, will launch on the channels’ debut evening on August 1 with six back-to-back episodes at 8pm ET.

The first episode of the show is being released on Pivot.tv, with the rest of the series set to be scheduled in “many different ways”, including marathons “tailor-made for binge-watching and on demand”, according to press materials

Pivot is the result of Participant’s efforts to tap into the lucrative 18-34 Millennials market.

“Hello Hollywood! I’m excited about being in America – I hope we get along. I’m encouraged by your oversized slices of cake. I’m also really proud to be on Pivot, a genuinely new and unique network making really interesting choices.  I hope you enjoy our TV show,” said Thomas.

“Please Like Me is the perfect show to launch our network. This show is unique and authentic, which speaks to the quality entertainment that we aspire to present to our target audience,” added Pivot’s president Evan Shapiro.

The series is billed as a Pivot Original, produced in association with Pigeon Fancier Productions, John And Josh International and Australian pubcaster ABC. Thomas created and wrote the series. He is also an executive producer alongside Todd Abbott and Kevin Whyte.