Zodiak Rights, the distribution wing of Zodiak Media, announced on May 15 that it has secured new deals in Italy and in Russia for The Returned, the International Emmy Award-winning drama series produced by Haut et Court TV for CANAL+ Original Creation.
In Italy, Sky Italia has acquired both the first season and the adaptation rights of the thrilling drama for its newly launched pay-TV channel, Sky Atlantic. Sky Atlantic will soon be launching The Returned, date to be announced. Filming of the Italian remake produced by Sky Italia, and set in Italy, is due to start by summer 2016. Zodiak Rights will hold the worldwide distribution rights of the remake, excluding Italy where they will be managed by Sky.
As part of the deal, Sky Italia also has an option on further series of The Returned produced by Haut et Court TV.
Meanwhile in Russia, Channel One, Russia’s leading broadcaster, snatched both format and ready-made rights to The Returned. Channel One will launch the series end of 2014, and plans to start producing the (8 x 60’) Russian remake of The Returned as soon as this summer. Zodiak Rights will hold the worldwide distribution rights of the remake, excluding Russia, the CIS and the Baltics.
This is the second acquisition of the adaptation rights of a French drama series by Channel One, the broadcaster having acquired from Zodiak Rights the remake rights of International Emmy Award drama series Braquo last MIPCOM.
The Returned has been a huge hit in France where it is known as Les Revenants. In the UK, the series described as “Best drama of the year” by The Sunday Times and the Observer, became the highest rated subtitled drama in the UK since 2006, attracting an average audience of 1.8 million viewers in its prime time slot on Channel 4. The series was also aired on USA’s high profile Sundance TV.
The Returned has already sold in over 74 countries including the UK (Channel 4 and Universal Pictures), Germany (STUDIOCANAL Germany), the USA (SundanceTV and Music Box), Canada (Bell Media and Radio Canada), Latin America (HBO Latam), Australia and New Zealand (SBS and Rialto Channel), Thailand (True vision), Hong Kong (Now TV), Taiwan (PTS), South Korea (AXN), Belgium (VRT and Telenet), Hungary (Viasat Broadcasting), Israel (Hot Vision), Sweden (SVT), Finland (YLE) and Norway (NRK).
Theses numerous sales earned Zodiak Rights the 2013 TVFI EXPORT PRIZE, rewarding its sales efforts and strategy to sell the French programme The Returned abroad.
Zodiak Rights holds worldwide distribution rights to the series.
