MIPCOM / Cannes, France: Ovation, America’s only arts network, has acquired the U.S. broadcast rights for season three of Frankie Drake Mysteries (10 x 60’) from Kew Media Distribution. The deal also includes Jon Brewer’s documentary Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark (1 x 94’); both titles will air on Ovation’s linear channel and on-demand service Ovation NOW. The announcement was made today by Scott Woodward, EVP Programming and Production, Ovation.
Following the city’s only female private detectives as they take on the cases the police don’t want to touch, the third season of Frankie Drake Mysteries sees Frankie (Lauren Lee Smith) face a family secret. Episodes bring her and the Drake Private Detectives team into the worlds of British aristocrats, illegal boxing, the supernatural, and political fundraisers.
Featuring never before seen archive and exclusive interviews, Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark is a candid account of the ‘fairy-tale’ life of Nat King Cole, directed by Jon Brewer (B.B. King: The Life of Riley, Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story), honoring the journey of a true icon and revealing his feelings behind his calling as a “beacon of hope” to the oppressed.
Also included in the deal are six seasons of comedic drama series Republic of Doyle (77 x 60’), which follows a father and son private investigative agency, and documentary Althea (1 x 78’) about the trailblazing athlete Althea Gibson.
“We’re pleased to bring our audience the third season of Frankie Drake Mysteries after a successful run of the first two seasons earlier this year. The drama is a perfect complement to the network’s current mystery programming,” stated Woodward. “Our relationship with Kew Media Distribution remains strong and fruitful; these new titles are exciting additions to our upcoming programming slate.”
Jennifer Askin, VP of Sales at Kew Media Distribution who brokered the deal comments, “We are delighted to continue our close relationship with Ovation. Previous Frankie Drake Mysteries have been a very successful part of their recent schedule and we look forward to seeing season three back on screen next year. We are also pleased the fabulous Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark documentary by acclaimed director and producer Jon Brewer has landed on the US’s only dedicated arts network and will be seen by so many viewers.”
Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark will air in Q1 2020. Season three of Frankie Drake Mysteries will air on Ovation in April 2020.
About OVATION, America’s Only Arts Network
Art has the power to inspire us, elevate our thinking, and awaken our senses. As an independent television, production and digital media company, OVATION has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically-acclaimed premium dramas, arts-related specials and documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION salutes innovative storytelling, lives for the art in entertainment, finds beauty in the everyday, and applauds art in unexpected places. OVATION is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, as well as on VOD. Through THE OVATION FOUNDATION, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in kind support to arts institutions and arts education. You can follow OVATION on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.
About Kew Media Distribution
Kew Media Distribution, part of Kew Media Group, produces and acquires more than 1,000 hours of new multi-genre content every year and distributes a diverse catalogue of film, television and digital assets to broadcasters and viewing platforms across the world. Kew Media Distribution manages international rights to a library of over 11,000 hours of TV and digital content, including major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, special event programming, kids’ series, TV movies and mini-series. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.kewmedia.com.