Universal Channel bolsters content in UK

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate NBCUniversal‘s channel, Universal Channel, has bolstered its portfolio of content in the UK with the acquisition of two new US dramas ‘Harry‘s Law? and ‘Law and Order: Los Angeles‘.

Harry‘s Law is the latest US hit from Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley, the writer and producer of Boston Legal and Ally McBeal, and stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates ‘Misery‘ in the eponymous lead role as Harriet ‘Harry? Korn.

Launched in the US on NBC in January 2011 with over 11 million viewers, Harry?s Law ranked as NBC?s most-watched scripted series of the 2010?11 broadcast season and was subsequently renewed for a second season in May.

 
Universal Channel has acquired the exclusive UK rights to both seasons of Harry?s Law from Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

Law and Order; Los Angeles is the latest spin-off of Dick Wolf‘s successful Law and Order franchise, originated for NBC in the US. Universal Channel, which is already the UK premiere home of ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit‘, has licensed the exclusive basic television rights in the UK to the West Coast-based series from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

Universal Networks International UK MD Laurence Dawkin-Jones said, "Having moved higher up the EPG in February, our priority is to capitalise on Universal Channel‘s new prominence by bringing viewers first run, exclusive content they will not find elsewhere. Harry?s Law and ‘Law and Order: Los Angeles? are terrific, high-quality titles which we are thrilled to claim Universal Channel is UK home to"

‘Law & Order: Los Angeles‘ made its UK debut on Universal Channel on 12 September, while Harry‘s Law will launch on 10 October.

‘Harry?s Law‘ is a quirky, light-touch legal drama which follows Harriet Korn a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who makes a fresh start after she is abruptly fired from her blue chip law firm. Setting up in the characteristically unconventional location of an abandoned shoe store, Harriet forms her own criminal law practice, Harry?s Law and Fine Shoes, with a team of unlikely kindred spirits. David E. Kelley
created the series and serves as executive producer with Bill D‘Elia.

Law & Order: Los Angeles sets the classic crime-then-punishment storytelling of the landmark original series against the distinctive backdrop of LA. The drama follows the progression of cases as they are investigated by the LAPD‘s elite Robbery Homicide Division and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys.