Hulu Exclusively Acquires Emmy(R)-Award Winning Miniseries "Fargo" in Expanded Subscription Streaming Video on Demand Deal with MGM
Hulu also Licenses Hit Scripted Series "Vikings" and Additional MGM Library Titles
LOS ANGELES, CA (December 19, 2014) - Hulu and MGM have expanded their streaming video on demand (SVOD) relationship, the two companies announced today. The deal grants Hulu exclusive streaming rights to this year's Golden Globe(R) nominated and Emmy(R)-Award Winning Miniseries Fargo. All episodes of the first installment of the hit show will be available to stream on Hulu in 2015.
The first installment of Fargo attracted critical acclaim having recently been nominated for five Golden Globes(R) including Best Miniseries, Best Actor in a Miniseries for Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, Best Actress in a Miniseries for newcomer Allison Tolman, and Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries for Colin Hanks. Fargo also won three Emmys(R) including Outstanding Miniseries and was the year's most Emmy(R) nominated miniseries. The award winning miniseries is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions for the FX Network in the US, with MGM Television serving as the lead studio and worldwide distributor of the series.
"MGM has been our longtime partner and is a consistent distributor of premium content. This expanded agreement allows us to become the streaming home to one of this year's biggest and most critically acclaimed series, Fargo. After announcing our landmark output deal with FX Productions yesterday, this expanded partnership with MGM brings even more hit titles to Hulu," said Craig Erwich, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Hulu.
"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Hulu and proud to continue to offer exceptional programming from MGM including the Golden Globe(R) nominated and Emmy(R) award winning series Fargo, continued fan-favorite Vikings as well as classic titles from MGM's vast library," said John Bryan, MGM President of Domestic Television Distribution.
It was also announced today that Hulu licensed from MGM all episodes of History's(R) hit scripted series, Vikings. Fans of the hit drama series can catch up on all episodes from season one and two streaming on Hulu now. The highly-anticipated third season premieres on Thursday, February 19 at 10 p.m. ET. MGM Television brought Vikings to History(R) and serves as worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada.
The expanded SVOD deal also includes multi-year, non-exclusive licensing rights to over 1,500 episodes of classic MGM series including sci-fi titles such as the Stargate series (Stargate Universe, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate: SG-1) and nostalgic series such as Flipper, Green Acres and Addams Family. It also includes cult favorites Thirtysomething, Dead Like me and Outer Limits, as well as family series and kids series such as All Dogs Go to Heaven.
About Hulu
Hulu is a premium streaming TV destination that seeks to captivate and connect viewers with the stories they love by creating amazing experiences that celebrate the best of entertainment and technology. As we pursue this mission, we strive to continue to redefine and reinvent the TV-viewing experience.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is celebrating 90 years as a leader in the entertainment business and as an innovator in the industry. Today, MGM is an entertainment company focused on the production and distribution of film and television content globally. The company owns one of the world's deepest libraries of premium film and television content. In addition, MGM has investments in domestic and international television channels and is the majority owner of and distributor for United Artists Media Group (UAMG).
About Fargo
An original adaptation of the Academy Award(R)-winning feature film, the Golden Globe(R) nominated and Emmy(R) winning miniseries Fargo features an all-new "true crime" story and follows a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and "Minnesota nice" that made the film an enduring classic. Oscar(R) winner and Emmy(R)-nominated Billy Bob Thornton stars as "Lorne Malvo," a rootless, manipulative man who meets and forever changes the life of small town insurance salesman "Lester Nygaard," played by BAFTA Award(R) winner and Emmy(R)-nominated Martin Freeman. Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) -nominated Colin Hanks plays Duluth Police Deputy "Gus Grimly," a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R)-nominated Allison Tolman also stars as "Molly Solverson," an ambitious Bemidji deputy.
Rounding out Fargo's colorful cast of recurring characters are Emmy(R) winner Bob Odenkirk as "Deputy Bill Oswalt," Golden Globe(TM) and Emmy(R)-nominated Oliver Platt as "Stavros Milos," Screen Actors Guild Award(R) winner Kate Walsh as "Gina Hess," Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as "Don Chumph," Joey King as "Greta Grimly," Peter Breitmayer as "Lieutenant Schmidt," Tom Musgrave as "Bo Munk," Josh Close as "Chazz Nygaard," Russell Harvard as "Mr. Wrench," Adam Goldberg as "Mr. Numbers," Emmy(R)-nominated Keegan-Michael Key as "Bill Budge" and Emmy(R)-nominated Jordan Peele as "Webb Pepper." Fargo is written by Noah Hawley. Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Joel & Ethan Coen and Geyer Kosinski serve as executive producers.
About Vikings
Vikings centers on "Ragnar" (Travis Fimmel), a restless young warrior and family man who longs to find and conquer new lands across the sea and claim the spoils as his own. Now he is an Earl, with more power than ever before, his desire to sail west and explore new kingdoms remains unquenchable.
The Vikings cast also Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar Lothbrok, and Linus Roache as Ecbert, King of Wessex, a man of strength, knowledge and undisguised ambition. They join Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok; Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and Ragnar's wife; Clive Standen as Rollo, Ragnar's impulsive, wild, care-free brother; George Blagden as Athelstan, a young and not-so-innocent Monk; Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy, beautiful wife of the late Earl Haraldson; Donal Logue as King Horik, who desires to make the increasingly famous Earl Ragnar an ally and supporter; Gustaf Skarsgard, a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships; and Alyssa Sutherland as Princess Aslaug, Ragnar's new love interest.
Season three of History's hit scripted drama series Vikings returns on Thursday, February 19 at 10 p.m. ET.
Created and written by Michael Hirst - one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Tudors) -- who serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O'Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Tudors), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors, The Borgias), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (The Tudors, The Borgias). Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are the Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY.
Vikings is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY(R) broadcasts domestically in the U.S. Vikings is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series also airs on HISTORY(R) in Canada.
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