BBC Worldwide Press Releases

DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service, and BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, today announced a deal that will bring three heralded BBC Worldwide comedies, No Heroics, How Not to Live Your Life and Mutual Friends, all of which have been nominated for a British Comedy Award, to DIRECTV’s The 101 Network.

Mutual Friends is a six-part comedy series about the dilemma of choosing between family commitment and the impulse to be irresponsible, while exploring the trials and tribulations of modern relationships. No Heroics is a sitcom focused on the lives, loves and aspirations of four friends, who just happen to be unsuccessful, B-list superheroes. How Not to Live Your Life is a quirky comedy centered around the antics of a neurotic, single man with an over-active imagination, who desperately tries but fails to navigate the basics of life.

"We are extremely excited for the opportunity to bring these brilliant shows, in their original form, across the pond," said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment and Production for DIRECTV. "Comedy is a universal emotion; everyone loves to laugh. We believe our viewers will be thrilled with these three series which come from the same country that brought us The Office, Absolutely Fabulous and Extras."

"BBC Worldwide is a global leader in comedy and drama series, and these three shows exemplify the versatility and quality of our catalog," said Matt Forde, EVP of Sales & Co-Productions, Sales & Distribution. "DIRECTV's The 101 Network is a terrific platform for these shows to make their U.S. premiere."

Brokered by Kate Livo, Director, TV Sales & Co-Productions, BBC Worldwide, this is BBC Worldwide’s first deal with DIRECTV in the U.S.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About DIRECTV’s The 101® Network
The 101 Network, DIRECTV’s exclusive entertainment channel, is a unique television experience that is available to more than 18.6 million DIRECTV subscribers. In 2008, the network changed the television landscape by partnering with NBC to produce and air three additional seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and more recently becoming the exclusive home of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning drama Damages, with Glenn Close. As a result, The 101 Network has become the premiere destination for diverse, quality and critically acclaimed programming including Underbelly, Supreme Court of Comedy and The Dan Patrick Show. Through its partnerships with leading television and film studios, networks and top cable channels, The 101 Network offers viewers the finest in drama and comedy, with feature films and TV specials, daring, innovative series, exclusive “sneak peek” programming and premium cable series un-cut in their original form. The 101 Network showcases concert specials from superstar artists and celebrated music festivals such as Farm Aid, sporting events such as UFC Fighter exposés and the annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl.

Catherine Mirra