Fox UK grabs CBS’s Bull by the horns

Fox Networks Group Europe & Africa has secured exclusive first-run rights to new season US legal drama hit Bull for the UK.

FNG has already bought rights to the CBS show in territories such as Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Sweden, and will launch it in on Fox UK in the new year.

Bull follows former star NCIS Michael Weatherly as brash but brilliant psychologist-cum-puppet-master who runs a prolific trial consulting firm. The character is based on Dr. Phil McGraw, whose syndicated daily talkshow, Dr. Phil, has been on air since 2002.

Bull has been a huge ratings success in the US, where it plays on broadcast network CBS. It is the number one new season programming, with an average of 16.9 million viewers, trailing only Weatherly’s previous series, NCIS.

“Fox UK is committed to bringing our viewers the best, first, so we’re thrilled to be able to premiere smash-hit US drama Bull in the UK,” said Toby Etheridge, head of programming for FNG UK.

CBS Television Studios produces the show, with CBS Studios International selling it around the world.