or


[07/25/05 - 12:00 AM]
NBC Universal Television Distribution, Wolf Films and Tf1 Announce Unprecedented Format Deal for French Version of Wolf's Law & Order: Criminal Intent

[via press release from NBC Universal Television Studio]

NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION, WOLF FILMS AND TF1 ANNOUNCE UNPRECEDENTED FORMAT DEAL FOR FRENCH VERSION OF WOLF'S LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT

New Frontier for the Hugely Successful Law & Order Brand

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- July 25, 2005 -- Ushering in a new volume in international television history, NBC Universal Television Distribution, Wolf Films and TF1 have announced an unprecedented format deal for TF1's Alma Productions to produce a localized French version of Law & Order creator/executive producer Dick Wolf's hit NBC series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, it was announced today by Dick Wolf, Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group, Frederick Huntsberry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television Distribution and Takis Candilis, Head of Drama for TF1 and President, TF1 Production. The agreement marks the first international format deal for any U.S. procedural drama, and is a huge step in the global expansion of the Law & Order brand, the most successful in primetime U.S. television history, with 600 episodes and counting in production.

The French Law & Order: Criminal Intent series, scheduled to premiere in primetime on TF1 in 2006, is currently in pre-production in Paris and will initially adapt the original U.S. scripts, taking into account language, culture and the Napoleonic Code. The series is being produced by Alma Productions, on behalf of TF1, in association with NBC Universal and Wolf Films. In order to adapt the series for a French audience, Alma Productions' Maxime Lombardini will consult with Wolf's Law & Order: Criminal Intent creative team, including Wolf, executive producer/showrunner Rene Balcer, the show's writers and producers, along with NBC Universal's Vice President of International Sales and Format Production Leslie Jones.

"We have worked very closely with NBC Universal to develop new revenue streams for the Law & Order brand, and this is an enormous accomplishment as we continue to establish our global presence," Wolf commented. "The three Law & Order series have been sold in over 180 markets around the world, so clearly there is a tremendous appetite for the brand. By creating and producing a localized French version, the potential to grow that audience becomes limitless."

"This promising joint effort points to a new creative horizon and symbolizes what we want to accomplish with the global assets of NBC Universal," said Zucker. "Good procedural dramas such as the Law & Order series speak the same language everywhere, and this new version will put an exciting French touch on Dick Wolf's proven hit brand."

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with TF1, Dick Wolf and his creative team on this ground-breaking endeavor that will provide French viewers a very tailored viewing experience," said Huntsberry. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent marks the inaugural scripted effort from our new original content unit and we look forward to working with Dick and his team on future endeavors."

"For many years, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, as well as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has been a huge success for TF1," said Candilis. Taking these unique characters created by Dick Wolf and adapting them for French viewers in primetime will enable a whole new, and much larger, audience to enjoy this great drama. We're sure that it's the beginning of a long story."

Under the terms of the agreement, NBC Universal will retain exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the new French episodes, with the exception of French-speaking Europe, which will be handled by TF1's Alma Productions.

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

TF1 group is a diversified French communication group. It is composed of the French leading free-to-air channel (TF1) that generates 60% of the turnover of the group, more than 20 themed channels (incl. Eurosport), digital broadcast on satellite and ADSL with TPS, video business, merchandising and derivative products activities, internet, production and audiovisuals activities. TF1 group's turnover is around 2.9 Bn?. TF1 shares are listed on the Paris Stock Exchange "Premier March?" with ISIN code FR0000054900.

Wolf, among television's most respected drama series creator/producers, is the architect of one of the most successful brands in the history of television ? Law & Order. The franchise, from NBC Universal Television Studio and Wolf Films, which includes Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Trial By Jury, recently surpassed 600 episodes. The Law & Order branded series air an average of 45 times a week on the U.S. television networks NBC, TNT and USA Network and has been licensed in more than 180 countries around the world. Last year, the brand generated over one billion dollars in advertising revenue, and has spawned lucrative ancillary revenue from DVDs, books and video games and has become a cultural phenomenon.





  [july 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· LAW & ORDER (NBC)
· LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (USA)
· LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)





[10/06/26 - 07:29 AM]
WWE Money in the Bank Streams Saturday, October 10 Exclusively on the ESPN App with ESPN Unlimited Plan
ESPN will also debut the WWE Money in the Bank Special on Wednesday, October 7, at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

[10/06/26 - 07:01 AM]
Netflix Taps IMG as Production Partner for FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027
The tournament will mark Netflix's most ambitious sports production to date.

[10/06/26 - 06:01 AM]
Roku Greenlights New Limited Series "Scarlett Holmes" Starring Lucy Hale
A modern descendant of Sherlock Holmes, "Scarlett Holmes" (Lucy Hale) has inherited her family's legendary powers of observation, but instead of solving crimes, she takes on mysteries of love, dating, and relationships.

[10/06/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Heartland" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Jessica Chastain, Garrett Hedlund, Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, Paul Sparks, Jennifer Nettles and John Hawkes star in the film, premiering November 13.

[10/06/26 - 05:49 AM]
Apple TV Announces "The Choir," A New Comedic Drama from Ruth Jones and James Corden
The ensemble cast includes Tom Davis, Rosie Sheehy, Susan Brown, Jason Watkins, David Harewood, Alexandria Riley, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Edden, Gary Lamont, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Stephen Leask, Luiis Rouf, Jo Foster, Evie Jones, and Farrah Abbassy.

[10/06/26 - 05:39 AM]
Paramount Completes Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Creating a New Global Entertainment Leader, Skydance
The combination builds on the storied history of two of the world's most recognizable entertainment companies, forming a single creative powerhouse.

[10/06/26 - 03:31 AM]
Video: "The Traitors Telugu" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Hosted by Tejja Sajja, "The Traitors" is a brutal game of betrayal where 20 contestants face daily eliminations for a grand prize.

[10/06/26 - 12:36 AM]
Netflix Unveils Date and First-Look Images for Medical Drama "Always on Call"
Set in a busy Norwegian emergency room, the series follows the surgeon Sofia (Sara Khorami) as she navigates high-stakes cases, hospital politics, and the tangled personal lives of her colleagues.

[10/05/26 - 11:06 AM]
Bravo's "Southern Charm" Returns for Season 12 with Secrets Simmering in the South on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Charmers Venita Aspen, Salley Carson, Craig Conover, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, Molly O'Connell, Rodrigo Reyes, Whitner Slagsvol and Shep Rose return.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
NBC Sports to Present 60+ Big East Men's and Women's Basketball Games in 2026-27 on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN
NBC Sports will present a slate of nearly 65 Big East basketball regular-season and tournament games this season, with 47 Big East men's games and 16 women's games presented across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Apple TV's Hit Thriller "Imperfect Women" to Return for a Gripping Second Season
The series is returning for a compelling new chapter set on Martha's Vineyard that will revolve around fan-favorite character Eleanor, played by Kerry Washington, who will reprise her role and serve as executive producer alongside Elisabeth Moss.

[10/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts First Look Images for New Original Series "Bloodaxe," from the Creator of "Vikings"
All eight episodes will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, and as previously announced, "Bloodaxe" has been picked up for a second season which is currently in production in Ireland.

[10/05/26 - 11:00 AM]
Paramount+ Renews "Tulsa King" for a Fifth Season Ahead of the Season Four Premiere on October 16
Season five will return to Dwight "The General" Manfredi's mafia roots, relocating production from Atlanta to New York to coincide with the storyline, with production now underway.

[10/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: NBC Debuts Official Season 3 Trailer, Photos & Key Art for "Happy's Place"
Guest stars this season include James Denton, Jane Lynch, and Justina Machado.

[10/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
The Soul Train Awards Nominees Are In, and Fans Decide the Winners in Two New Categories!
Voting is open now through October 16, and fans can see who takes home the trophies Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET, with a simulcast on CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO.