Los Angeles – Prime TV has signed a multiyear, studio volume deal with CBS Studios International, which gives Prime exclusive free-to-air broadcasting rights in New Zealand to a broad range of new series that the Hollywood studio produces from the start of the new US television season in the fall of 2012, such as Elementary and Vegas.

Karen Bieleski, Head of Prime TV, said in a statement that the volume licensing deal is Prime’s first and represents a very exciting opportunity for the channel. “Our agreement with CBS Studios International will enhance our current schedule in both primetime and off-peak, allowing us to offer a far greater variety of quality daytime content including talk shows, entertainment news and factual programming,” she said.

“This is a turning point for Prime TV. Over the past six years we have worked hard to rebuild the channel’s financial structure and we are thrilled that we are now further enhancing our commitment to quality free-to-air television in New Zealand with our agreement with CBS Studios International,” she added.

Armando Nuñez, President, CBS Studios International, said: “We are very pleased to be the first major Hollywood studio to partner with Prime. This volume deal provides audiences in New Zealand with a wide range of CBS’s world-class programming and further positions us as a leading US content supplier in the region.”