HBO, Knowledge take DRG comedies

Peep Show has been picked up by Czech TV

HBO in the US is among broadcasters around the world to have picked up new and classic comedy content from UK distributor DRG.

The premium cablenet has acquired season three of topical sketch programme Tracey Ullman’s Show, which is co-written by the comedian and sees her mimic real-life figures including Germany chancellor Angela Merkel and US first lady Melania Trump. HBO Europe and ITV Choice in Asia have also taken the show.

Meanwhile, Knowledge Network in Canada has acquired all four seasons (40×60’) of irreverent comedy drama Teachers, which sees a teacher have a midlife crisis despite being in his mid-20s.

In Europe, Czech TV has licensed all nine seasons of Peep Show for a primetime comedy slot on ČT1; YLE in Finland has acquired all three seasons of Detectorists; and VRT in Belgium has taken both seasons of surreal hospital comedy Green Wing, starring Tamsin Greig (Episodes, Black Books) and Stephen Mangan (Episodes, The Split).

The first two seasons of Detectorists have also been picked up by BBC Studios for BBC First in the Middle East and North Africa.

Elsewhere, season four of Plebs (6×30’) has been acquired by Comedy Central in New Zealand and the ABC in Australia, while Sky in New Zealand has taken all three seasons of classic comedy Father Ted.