LoveFilm back onboard Vikings

Amazon-owned LoveFilm in the UK has picked up exclusive broadcast rights to the second season of Norse drama series Vikings.

The deal with distributor MGM Television will see LoveFilm make each episode of the 10-part show available to subscribers one day after its broadcast on US cable net History, with the second season premiere due February 28.

The show was created by screenwriter Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors) and marked LoveFilm’s first foray into acquiring first-run rights on drama series with a deal last year for the nine-part first season.

Chris Bird, director of film strategy at LoveFilm, said the first season’s ratings had persuaded the company to secure the second but didn’t disclose viewing figures.

LoveFilm in the UK has already secured premiere rights to crime dramas Crossing Lines and Copper, and has been linked to a possible revival of recently-axed BBC detective series Ripper Street.

MGM Television distributes Vikings across all markets outside of the US, Ireland and Canada.