Industry

All3Media International has concluded a new deal with pay TV broadcaster MultiChoice, as the flagship channel M-Net acquires a significant package of content featuring 40+ hours of premium scripted and non-scripted series.

Headlining the non-scripted titles secured by M-Net (DStv Channel 101) is Highlife, Optomen Television’s bold and authentic reality series following a generation of young, influential, trailblazing West African Brits living in London. Set against a backdrop of extravagance and glamour, this 4 x 1 hour series celebrates Black British culture, presenting a nuanced and engaging look at each individual’s story.

The deal represents a landmark for Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin. Having recently celebrated its second anniversary, this acclaimed, multi-award-winning drama will be available for African audiences for the first time as M-Net has acquired the five-part series for air exclusively on its streaming service Showmax. A story of love, life and loss following a group of friends as they grow up in the 1980s in the shadow of AIDS, It’s A Sin is from Red Productions and features a star-studded cast including Olly Alexander, Lydia West, Callum Scott Howells, Keeley Hawes, Stephen Fry and Neil Patrick Harris.

Further scripted titles included in the deal are Drama Republic’s The English, the epic six-part Western written and directed by multi-award-winning Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman) and starring Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place, Sicario) and Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian, Marvel’s ECHO). Two six-part thrillers from Harry and Jack Williams’ Two Brothers Pictures feature: The Tourist starring Jamie Dornan (The Fall) and Angela Black starring Joanne Froggatt (Liar).

Season one of Great Southern Television’s supernatural crime drama One Lane Bridge (6 x 1 hour), Hartswood Films’ thriller The Control Room (3 x 1 hour), and Story Films’ thriller Witness Number 3 (4 x 1 hour) complete the line-up of scripted titles heading to M-Net.

Finally, M-Net has selected Story Films’ Fever Pitch: The Battle for the Premier League from All3Media International’s non-scripted portfolio. With natural drama and gripping sporting narratives, this first instalment is the story of how English football was transformed from a sport into a business overnight, told by the people who were there.

Kelly Shek, Sales Manager (Africa, Middle East, Turkey & Israel) at All3Media International, commented, “We’re very pleased to partner with M-Net in Africa on this extensive package of premium titles – a line-up that showcases the very best of our scripted and non-scripted portfolios. We’re particularly excited to see Highlife heading to Africa to give M-Net viewers a unique and engaging perspective on the Black British experience. And M-Net’s acquisition of the incredible It’s A Sin is also notable, giving Showmax subscribers the opportunity to access this heart-breaking yet joyful drama exploring themes that are as important and globally relevant today as they were forty years ago.”