BBC AMERICA ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE BASIC CABLE RIGHTS TO "THE TUDORS"

New York - December 14, 2010 - The Tudors will once again reign but this time for basic cable television audiences. BBC AMERICA today announced it has acquired from CBS Television Distribution the exclusive basic cable rights for all four seasons of the Golden Globe-nominated SHOWTIME drama series, The Tudors. For the first time ever, non premium cable subscribers will have the chance to see the dramatic retelling of one of England's most notorious monarchs, Henry VIII, and the political intrigues that led to the demise of five wives and a schism with the Catholic Church. The Tudors kicks off with an all-day marathon of Season 1 and 2 episodes on Sunday, January 16, starting at 9:00a.m. PT/ET and with subsequent episodes every Tuesday, at 10:00p.m. ET/PT.

· The Tudors (S1, 60x10; S2, 60x10; S3, 60x8; S4, 60x10) an Ireland Canada Co-Production, is a presentation of Showtime in association with Peace Arch Entertainment and Take 5 Productions. It is distributed by CBS TV Distribution.

Shot in Ireland and created by English screenwriter, Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, Camelot), The Tudors stars some of the UK's finest talent including Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Match Point, Mission Impossible III) as Henry VIII, Jeremy Northam (Gosford Park) as Thomas More, Henry Cavill (Tristan & Isolde) as Charles Brandon, and Natalie Dormer (Casanova) as Anne Boleyn. Before completing its run on Showtime this summer, the series proved to be both a ratings and critical success with its sexy and clever dramatization of one of the most exciting periods of British history.

The Tudors focuses on the turbulent years of King Henry VIII's nearly 40-year reign of England. In addition to affairs with famous female paramours Catherine of Aragon and the infamous Anne Boleyn, the series explores Henry's most notable political relationships, including those with philosopher Sir Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey, head of the Catholic Church of England during its break with Rome, and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk and Henry VIII's closest friend.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 68 million homes.