PBS works to grow Roots

MIPTV: PBS International has picked up distribution rights to celebrity genealogy series Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr and is in talks with Middle Eastern network Al-Hurra over the series.

The international arm of PBS Distribution is in Cannes touting the series, which follows Harvard professor Gates as he attempts to help celebrities trace their ancestors.

Gates previously worked on two seasons of African American Lives and Faces of America.

There are 25 celebrities involved in the programme including Condoleezza Rice, Robert Downey Jr and Samuel L Jackson.

Al-Hurra is in talks with PBS over picking up the series for its fall schedule.