AXN strikes deal with CBS Studios

AXN will now have exclusive rights to air highly successful shows such as 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' and the new shows produced by CBS Television Studios

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | July 31, 2014

Multi Screen Media's English entertainment channel, AXN, has announced a multi-year content deal with CBS Studios International. The new deal gives AXN access to all the content distributed by CBS, including the exclusive rights to air some of CBS's biggest existing television series such as 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation', as well as the rights to all new shows produced by CBS Television Studios.

CBS Studios International distributes long-running shows such as 'Blue Bloods', 'Survivor', 'Elementary', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'NCIS', among others. NCIS has been a popular drama on US television for five consecutive seasons and Hawaii Five-0 won the Favorite New TV Drama award at the 37th People's Choice Awards.

Some of the new shows CBS distributes include 'Extant', starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry, and 'Penny Dreadful'. 'Extant' is a mystery thriller about an astronaut trying to reconnect with her family, one year after she returns from space. In 'Penny Dreadful', some of literature's most famous characters, including Dr Frankenstein, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula, come together in Victorian London. The series stars actors Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Eva Green.

This year's line-up includes 'CSI: Cyber', a spin-off of the hit CSI franchise focused on the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI, and 'NCIS: New Orleans', a spin-off of the popular NCIS procedural set in the Big Easy. Other new CBS dramas include 'Madam Secretary' and 'Scorpion'.

“This acquisition marks a memorable milestone in the journey of MSM. It has been our endeavour to create a differentiation for our viewers through product offering and innovations, both through our marketing and content novelties. The CBS deal allows us to more effectively build and deliver a rich library of content to our viewers, thereby strengthening the commitment of MSM to the Indian entertainment market,” said NP Singh, CEO, Multi Screen Media.

Saurabh Yagnik

Saurabh Yagnik, English Cluster Head, Multi Screen Media, said, “This deal with CBS Studios International has only strengthened our long-standing relationship with them. Increasing our brand presence and reach in key markets is a cornerstone of our growth strategy. Now, with the new deal, we are bringing some of the most cutting-edge shows from the US. This deal is all set to strengthen the ever expanding bouquet of AXN programming.”

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with AXN India and deliver more of our world class programming to audiences across India and the subcontinent," said Barry Chamberlain, President of Sales, CBS Studios International.

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