Silverman’s Mob takes on world

Ben Silverman’s US production company Electus has sold reality series Mob Wives into more than 20 territories.

US cable channel VH1 has so far aired half of the 10-episode first season on Sunday evenings and has already picked up a second season, plus a reunion special, to air in the fall.

Now the show is set to travel the world, with a host of deals signed by Electus’s global distribution arm Electus/Engine Entertainment, under president Chris Philip.

Australian pay-TV company XYZ Networks has acquired exclusive rights to the first 10×60′ season for its LifeStyle You channel, where the show will debut in August.

“Mob Wives is a startling and deeply engaging series,” said Hannah Barnes, director of programming and acquisitions for XYZ’s LifeStyle Channels, confirming this was XYZ’s first deal with Electus/Engine.

Shaw Media in Canada will air the first season on its cable channel Slice on Friday nights from September 9, and MTV in Latin America has also signed up for the show.

Mob Wives, created by Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions and co-executive-produced by Electus and The Weinstein Company, follows women who have to pick up the pieces and carry on while their husbands or fathers do time for mob-related activities.