Lionsgate’s Orange joins UK Sony net

Netflix original comedy-drama Orange is the New Black has landed its first linear broadcast deal in the UK.

Netflix original series Orange is the New Black

Sony Pictures Television Networks (SPTN) has bagged the show for its linear Sony Channel, carried via the Sky, Virgin TV, BT Vision and TalkTalk platforms.

The first season of the prison drama will air with back-to-back episodes from April 19 at 21.00.

“We recognise the demand for premium content that appeals to a broad audience, which is exactly what Orange is the New Black offers,” said Kate Marsh, SPTN’s executive VP for Western Europe international networks.

The Emmy-winning series, four seasons of which are currently available on Netflix with another three already greenlit by the SVoD platform, is produced by Lionsgate Television and Tilted Productions.

The show is distributed by Lionsgate, where president of international television and digital distribution Peter Iacono said: “Orange is a global phenomenon with ever-growing appeal.”

The UK linear deal comes after similar sales to broadcasters including French DTT channel Numéro 23 last summer, Greek pay channel OTE TV last year and Mediaset Premium in Italy.