Worldwide Distributors Keshet International to present Series to Buyers during MIPTV
For Immediate Release:
CANNES – Tuesday 4th April, 2017 – Woodcut Media is pleased to announce a deal with the Sky free-to-air channel Pick to produce a second season of the true crime series Britain’s Most Evil Killers (10 x 60’) and its international counterpart World’s Most Evil Killers (20 x 60’). Season two is scheduled to air on Pick in 2018.
Season one of Britain’s Most Evil Killers has been a standout success for Pick, with almost every transmission bringing in consolidated audiences that more than double their 52Wk slot averages. In particular, Episode 2 consolidated at 371k, +161% on slot average, the best performing Sunday 10pm slot on the channel in 5 years and, at 2.2%, the Pick’s highest ever share performance in that slot.
The international version of the series, World’s Most Evil Killers, was pre-sold to RTL for German-speaking Europe in January this year. The extended 20 episode series has been adjusted for local audiences and licensed in a multi-year deal.
Britain’s Most Evil Killers and World’s Most Evil Killers examines some of the most dangerous and prolific murderers in the UK and worldwide, uncovering what drove them to commit such heinous crimes. The second series will include ‘The Grindr Killer’- Stephen Port, Mick Philpott, Ted Bundy and Aileen Wuornos, to mention a few.
Each gripping episode has a simple yet robust narrative which takes the viewer through each shocking story as told by those directly impacted by the crime. Whether it’s the father of the killer or the son of a victim, these emotional, personal experiences help personalise each shocking murder. Experts including criminologists, forensic pathologists and reporters help drive the story for each case.
The deal was brokered by Acquisitions Executive Charlie Charalambous for Pick and both series will be distributed internationally by Keshet International.
“True crime is still a hot genre for audiences worldwide, and this second season has also come hot off the heels of the fabulous ratings Pick received from the first season. For Pick, it’s an offering the viewers haven’t had before; its premium crime content on a Freeview channel. The new episodes will continue to offer a multi-faceted analysis of these killers and explore the steps taken that led to their ultimate capture, leaving no stone unturned,” said Kate Beal, CEO, Woodcut Media.
“Pick viewers are True Crime savvy and Woodcut have done a superb job of delivering high quality and well-researched shows that our audience is engaging with. The subject matter is often difficult, but is dealt with sensitively and intelligently by a great production company. We are delighted to be green-lighting second seasons of both shows and look forward to offering Pick viewers new insight into these famous crimes,” said Stephen Ladlow, Director of Challenge, Pick and Real Lives.
About Woodcut Media:
With offices in London and Hampshire, Woodcut Media, a member of the family of Bob & Co businesses, is one of the fastest growing indies in the UK producing a broad range of factual programming. In addition to being one of the leading true crime producers in the UK (Holloway: Women Behind Bars, The Krays: The Prison Years and Murder Casebook), Woodcut Media’s rapidly growing catalogue also includes specialist factual series (Defenders of the Sky and Combat Trains), premium one off docs (The Ivy, Cut From A Different Cloth and Mandela, My Dad and Me featuring Idris Elba) and factual entertainment shows (Around the World in 80 Tricks and Animal Antics). Woodcut Media’s operations are spearheaded by leading doc producer Kate Beal, alongside former BBC exec Derren Lawford as Creative Director and former Lion TV founder Jeremy Mills as Chairman. Woodcut Media also featured in the 2017 Realscreen Global 100.
About Pick:
Pick is a free-to-air entertainment channel from Sky offering instantly enjoyable telly that’s easy to get in to. It is regarded as the home of ‘Real Life Emergency’ and ‘Popcorn Scripted’ programming on Freeview.
About Keshet International:
Keshet International is Keshet Media Group’s global distribution and production arm. Headed by CEO Alon Shtruzman, it includes Keshet’s local production outposts (Keshet UK, Keshet Asia, Keshet MX in Mexico and Keshet Studios in the US) as well as its global distribution arm. KI’s catalogue consists of over 90 tried and tested properties that appeal to audiences worldwide, spanning all genres. Highlights include hit drama Prisoners of War, the original Israeli version of prime time Emmy® winner Homeland; gripping espionage thriller False Flag; touching family drama The A Word; the high octane game show BOOM!; hit interactive talent show Rising Star and children’s talent show Master Class; reality dating format Girlfri3nds; and ‘buddy comedy’ Traffic Light, winner of an International Emmy Award.
Media Contacts:
For Keshet International Shereene Witter/Michael Goward/ Franklin Rae
T: +44 203011 1023, shereene@franklinrae.com, michael@franklinrae.com
