BBC Worldwide Signs Syndication Deal for British Crime Drama DCI BANKS

BBC Worldwide America, Sales & Distribution, today announced a landmark syndication deal with public television stations for the British crime drama series, DCI BANKS. The show will be available on 166 stations, reaching an estimated 77% of U.S. TV households*. The syndication deal includes the show's pilot and seasons 1 and 2. DCI Banks will premiere on public television stations across the country, including WUSF Tampa, KERA Dallas and KCET Los Angeles, starting in January 2013.

DCI Banks is a crime drama series. It follows lead character, veteran Detective Chief Inspector, Alan Banks, on his passionate and relentless journey in pursuit of criminals and justice, which inevitably leads him to take dark and treacherous paths to solve crimes. DCI Banks stars Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart, Ballykissangel, Grafters), as Alan Banks, Andrea Lowe (The Tudors) and Caroline Catz (The Bill, The Vice).

Julius Cain, Vice President, PBS Sales, BBC Worldwide America, said: "DCI Banks is a terrific and suspenseful show which we believe will attract a wide range of viewers in the U.S. This syndication deal marks the largest we have inked to date between BBC Worldwide America and public television stations and is evidence of the great interest in the top-notch and skillfully produced programs we offer our clients."

DCI Banks is produced by Left Bank Pictures for ITV. The series is based on Peter Robinson's Inspector Alan Banks novels.

About BBC Worldwide America Sales & Distribution

BBC Worldwide America Sales & Distribution is one of five core businesses operating in the U.S. under BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK public service broadcaster, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). BBC Worldwide exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the UK license payer, and invests in programming in return for rights. The Sales & Distribution business negotiates, sells and distributes television programs to networks and secures co-production partners in the region.

*Source: based on figures per station published annually by Nielsen