PRESS RELEASES
September 29, 2011

BBC Worldwide and DIRECTV Announce Heroic Deal

British Comedy Award Nominees No Heroics, How Not to Live Your Life, and Mutual Friends to Make Exclusive U.S. Debut on The 101 Network

El Segundo, CA – 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.