Disney Media Distribution confirmed that ABC Studios’ critically acclaimed hit drama How To Get Away with Murder has been licensed to broadcasters in 158 territories worldwide.
Disney’s international programming distribution arm has secured deals with broadcasters in countries ranging from the UK, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Vietnam, South Africa, China and Azerbaijan to Israel, the Middle East, Greece, all of Africa and Turkey amongst others.
The Shonda Rhimes produced show, which stars Oscar® and Golden Globe nominated actress Viola Davis as a criminal law professor who gets entangled in a murder conspiracy with her students, has already gained critical plaudits following its U.S. premiere on 25 September.
The global sales of How To Get Away with Murder are the latest success story from the Rhimes produced stable of primetime dramas, from Shondaland and ABC Studios. Award-winning medical drama Grey’s Anatomy has, to date, generated sales in 238 territories and political thriller Scandal has so far seen sales to 227 territories. Both series have gripped audiences and critics across the world with Grey’s Anatomy attracting over 30 million international viewers and Scandal over 20 million.
Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and executive producer of How To Get Away with Murder, said, “To have seen audiences for Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and now How To Get Away with Murder, grow on such a global scale is exciting for me and all the team at Shondaland. And as long as audiences, at home and internationally, want us to, we’ll keep putting our hearts into creating unique new stories and characters for these groundbreaking series.”
Ben Pyne, President, Global Distribution, Disney Media Networks, said, “The continued success of these three series in attracting audiences worldwide is testament to the quality of the productions and the people behind, and in front, of the camera. How To Get Away with Murder created such a buzz at this year’s LA Screenings that I’m sure the interest will continue from international buyers for their local audiences.”
