BBC Studios announced new international distribution partnerships that will bring all series of the multi-award-winning hit drama Sherlock, produced by Hartswood Films, to a global audience.
Winner of 12 BAFTAs and nine Emmys, and previously sold in over 240 territories worldwide, Sherlock is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the series stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the iconic roles of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
An agreement with Amazon Prime Video will see the premium, streaming entertainment service take non-exclusive SVOD global rights to all four series of the fan favourite and the special, The Abominable Bride, excluding the U.S., Australia, and Greater China*.
In China, all four series of Sherlock will be available exclusively on Tencent Video. Japanese broadcaster Mystery Channel has snapped up the exclusive pay-TV license for Series 1- 4 for its AXN Mystery channel to air from April 2022.
Meanwhile, in Russia, where the super sleuth topped the list of most-watched international scripted titles on federal channels in 2017, 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, Sherlock will have a new and co-exclusive SVOD home on Russia’s major online cinema and movie database Kinopoisk (Yandex).
Across Europe, Cosmote has secured exclusive Pay TV and non-exclusive SVOD rights** for the series and special in Greece, whilst public broadcaster RTVE in Spain has picked up non-exclusive FVOD rights for its RTVE Play service.
Canadian viewers will be able to enjoy the series through non-exclusive agreements with CBC Gem and BBC First. Streaming service Stan continues to be the Australian SVOD home for the series.
Louise McNab, Director of Content Sales for BBC Studios Global Distribution said: “As with Holmes and Watson, at BBC Studios we understand the importance of great partnerships. Sherlock is an iconic series with a network of dedicated fans across the world, so our incredible team have taken care to matchmake this brilliant content with the best partners that each have the scale and reach to bring these extraordinary stories packed with laughter, tears, shocks and surprises, to fans old and new.”
Sue Vertue, Executive Producer and CEO at Hartswood Films said: “Working with BBC Studios distribution on Sherlock has always been a positive experience and we’re delighted that they have formed these new partnerships around the world so people can continue to see our Sherlock and John on the case.”