BBCS strikes deals as global broadcasters tune in to ‘The Watch’

The Watch

Broadcasters in Africa, New Zealand, Israel, Greece, Spain and Russia have acquired the Discworld-inspired fantasy crime-comedy The Watch, following deals with BBC Studios.

The BBC Studios Production, originally commissioned for BBC America, is described as a “modern and inclusive series” based upon the characters in Terry Pratchett’s extensive fantasy book series.

The Watch has been sold to M-Net across sub-Saharan Africa, TVNZ in New Zealand, Yes in Israel, Cosmote TV in Greece, Telefonica in Spain, and to Viasat World across Russia and CIS. Airline passengers will also be able to view the series on Emirates.

These deals follow agreements with Stan Australia, China’s Bilibili, Russia’s Kinopoisk and BBC First for Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where the show has already debuted.

The 8 x 45-minute series follows The City Watch, a group of improbable heroes who must thwart an evil plot to resurrect a great dragon. It is executive produced by Hilary Salmon, Ben Donald and Richard Stokes for BBC Studios, Rob Wilkins for Narrativia, Simon Allen and Craig Viveiros. Johann Knobel is series and Simon Rogers is production designer.

Paul Dempsey, BBC Studios president of global Distribution, said: “Following its successful debut in the US, The Watch has captured the imagination of our international customers with its unique mix of escapism, comedy and crime.”

Executive producer Richard Stokes added: “It is great to see buyers across the world recognise that this is a series their audiences will love. With a bold cast of characters, The Watch really breaks the mould for the fantasy genre.”