or


[02/04/10 - 07:22 AM]
Syfy Acquires Basic Cable Rights to Critically Acclaimed Merlin Series from Fremantlemedia Enterprises
As previously reported, season two of the U.K. import will roll out in April on the cable channel.

[via press release from Syfy]

SYFY ACQUIRES BASIC CABLE RIGHTS TO CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MERLIN SERIES FROM FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES

26 EPISODE PACKAGE FEATURES U.S. TELEVISION PREMIERE OF SEASON TWO

Merlin Joins Syfy Primetime Schedule in April 2010

New York, NY -- February 3, 2010 -- Syfy has acquired the basic cable rights from FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) for all 26 episodes (both seasons) of the critically acclaimed series Merlin, including the United States television premiere of Season Two, which has never aired on American television. Merlin joins the Syfy primetime lineup in April 2010.

Thomas Vitale, Executive Vice President, Programming and Original Movies, Syfy, said, �A viewer favorite after only one season, Merlin will be a strong addition to our schedule this spring. We expect its enthralling imaginative vision, engaging young talent, and rich production values to resonate with our audience.�

FME's Lisa Honig, SVP Program Distribution, North America commented, �Merlin has been a great success internationally with fans in more than 180 countries. Partnering with Syfy to continue that engagement in the US after a successful first series is a win-win for everyone.�

Season One of Merlin aired on NBC (Summer 2009). Both seasons 1 and 2 aired on BBC One in the UK (2008-09). BBC has commissioned a third season which will air in September 2010. FME also handles brand licensing and home entertainment for Merlin.

ABOUT MERLIN

An imaginative new twist on a timeless legend, Merlin is set in the mythical city of Camelot, before history began. It's a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious peoples, and a dangerous world where magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon.

When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther's crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther's wise physician, Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot's mystical secrets.

As he does, Merlin discovers that his destiny and that of the kingdom's young leader in waiting, Arthur, are inextricably linked.

Merlin stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Richard Wilson as Gaius, Katie McGrath as Morgana and Angel Coulby as Gwen.

Merlin is executive produced by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps for Shine Television.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

ABOUT SYFY

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)





  [february 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· MERLIN (SYFY)





[12/31/24 - 02:01 PM]
"Nightline"' Ranks No. 1 in All Key Demos for the Week of Dec. 23 Versus CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers"
Plus: ABC News' "Nightline" averaged 939,000 Total Viewers, 213,000 Adults 25-54 and 142,000 Adults 18-49 during the 4th Quarter 2024, based on Most Current Data from Nielsen Media Research.

[12/31/24 - 12:17 PM]
"Squid Game" Season 2 Smashes Top 10 Viewing Records as Millions Worldwide Take Part in Fan Activations
Season 2 enthralled fans all over the world as it skyrocketed to the top of the Netflix Global Top 10, amassing an astounding 68 million views in its debut.

[12/31/24 - 12:00 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Dec. 23: "Squid Game" Season 2 Scores Record-Breaking Debut
Meanwhile, "Carry-On" flew high for its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the English films list with 34.9 million views.

[12/31/24 - 11:17 AM]
NFL Christmas Day Games on Netflix Average Over 30 Million Global Viewers
The games ranked #1 (Ravens-Texans) and #2 (Chiefs-Steelers) on Netflix's Global Top 10 for the week, and hit the Top 10 across multiple countries.

[12/31/24 - 07:18 AM]
Video: "The Kardashians" - Season 6 - Teaser - Hulu
Season 6 of "The Kardashians" premieres February 6 on Hulu, Disney+ internationally, and Star+ in Latin America.

[12/31/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Official Trailer #2 - "Common Side Effects" - February 2 - Adult Swim
"Common Side Effects" premieres February 2 at 11:30/10:30c on Adult Swim - next day on Max.

[12/30/24 - 03:15 PM]
ABC's "The Year: 2024" Ranks #1 Across the Board in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49
In addition, the annual ABC News special led its two-hour time slot, beating CBS and NBC programming in Adults 18-49 for the 5th consecutive year - since 2020.

[12/30/24 - 01:00 PM]
Video: Denis Leary Is "Going Dutch!" - Season 1 Extended Trailer - FOX TV
Tune in for the series premiere Thursday, January 2, on FOX and next day on Hulu.

[12/30/24 - 11:06 AM]
NBC Sports Delivers Its Most-Watched Year Since 2016
Collectively, the most prestigious events and properties in sports propelled NBC Sports to its most-watched year since 2016, with more than 400 billion minutes (or more than 7 billion hours) consumed across NBCUniversal platforms.

[12/30/24 - 09:34 AM]
Viewership Update: NBA on ESPN Platforms Up Five Percent From Last Year
Through 34 games, NBA games on ESPN platforms are averaging 1,959,000 viewers.

[12/30/24 - 09:25 AM]
Video: "Shifting Gears" Official Trailer
Look for the series premiere January 8 at 8:00/7:00c on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.

[12/30/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Coach Prime" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
In his second season as Colorado head coach, Deion Sanders leads the Buffaloes in their return to the Big 12.

[12/30/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Miss Scarlet" Season 5 Trailer
Season 5 premieres on Sunday, January 12 at 8:00/7:00c on PBS.

[12/30/24 - 07:01 AM]
Aced It! ESPN Scores Stellar Viewership During 2024 NCAA Women's College Volleyball Season
The 2024 Women's NCAA Volleyball Tournament was the most-consumed ever, with more than 1.3 billion minutes watched across ESPN platforms.

[12/30/24 - 06:01 AM]
Enjoy Apple TV+ for Free the First Weekend of 2025
Enjoy Apple TV+ for free the first weekend of 2025 (January 3 through January 5), Apple TV+ will be free on any device where Apple TV+ is available.