Critically-Acclaimed Drama Series "Rake" Acquired by DIRECTV

CANNES, 04 April 2011 -DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service, has picked up the critically-acclaimed drama series Rake from international distributor DCD Rights.

The eight part legal series made by Essential Media & Entertainment for ABC Australia, boasts a stellar cast including Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge, Mission Impossible II) in the award-winning lead role of barrister Cleaver Greene (FIPA d'Or 2011 for Best Actor). Guest stars throughout the course of the first season include Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings, Matrix Trilogy), Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Muriel's Wedding, Brothers and Sisters), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Dead Calm, The Tudors) and Noah Taylor (Shine, Vanilla Sky, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory).

Rake focuses on the chaotic world of a criminal defense barrister, Cleaver Greene. Brilliant, iconoclastic and innately self-destructive, Cleaver is one of life's great addicts. Whether it's women, gambling or drugs, he can resist everything except temptation. His other addiction is the law - defending those who seem to be beyond redemption - society's hopeless: our drug dealers, our murderers, our cannibals. From bigamists to cannibals and everything in between, the clients that Cleaver loves the most are the cases that appear to be utterly hopeless. If only Cleaver would realize the stark reality that he, himself, is perhaps the most desperate case of all.

The series premiered on ABC Australia earlier this year to high ratings and critical acclaim and sustained strong audience share throughout its run. DIRECTV will announce their plans for premiere shortly.

Nicky Davies Williams, CEO, DCD Rights said: "We are delighted that DIRECTV has acquired this critically acclaimed series which has so far been fantastically received by audiences in Australia and around the world."

"Cleaver Greene is a rake in every sense of the word, a thoroughly irrepressible and iconoclastic character that somehow worms his way into your heart," said Patty Ishimoto, DIRECTV's Vice President Entertainment & General Manager, The 101 Network. "DIRECTV is the perfect home for Rake and we are proud to add the series to our stable of critically acclaimed, award winning series."

Rake is splendid TV... highly intelligent, rather knowing and urbane - The Australian

About DCD Rights

The international distribution arm of DCD Media represents over 2500 hours of wholly-owned and third party programming across a wide range of genres including high quality drama, music, entertainment and documentary programming and formats. DCD Rights' catalogue contains shows from top international producers/directors and independent producers and features classic and cutting-edge concert, documentary and light entertainment programmes. An independent for more than 21 years, the company formerly named NBDtv became part of production and distribution group DCD Media plc in 2006. For further details see www.dcdrights.com

About DIRECTV's The 101(R) Network

The 101 Network, DIRECTV's entertainment channel, is a unique television experience that is available exclusively to 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 expos�s and the annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl