PBS calls UK’s midwife

UPFRONTS: British period drama hit Call the Midwife (6×60′) is kicking off the fall season for US public broadcaster PBS.

A deal between BBC Worldwide America Sales & Distribution and PBS will allow the US channel to debut the 1950s-set drama on September 30, as lead-in for another UK period drama, Upstairs Downstairs.

“Call the Midwife is a riveting new series that strengthens PBS as a destination for drama on Sunday nights,” said Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO. The show debuted on BBC1 in January to 10.7 million viewers and has since been renewed for a second run of eight episodes next year, again produced by Sam Mendes’ London-based Neal Street Productions.

PBS is also lining up a number of new documentaries for this fall, including Ken Burns’ new film The Dust Bowl; four-hour documentary Half the Sky, based on the acclaimed book of the same name; and Death & the Civil War, by Ric Burns.

UK factual series Antiques Roadshow has also been renewed and new series Market Warriors will be its lead-out on Monday nights. Film strand Independent Lens will move to Mondays at 22.00 from October 29, creating a new slot for independent film that night.

“PBS’s fall schedule, one of our strongest in years, builds on the knowledge that our programming approach is working, bringing in new viewers throughout the week,” added Kerger. “Our Sunday night schedule sets the stage for enhanced weeknight viewing, too.

“Mondays are poised to bring in a diversity of new voices and perspectives with independent films; popular Wednesday nature and science programmes will continue to build with a revamped Nova Science Now; and our nightly politics and election coverage will grow as we move toward Election Day.”