BBC picks up 'OC'-style drama series

The BBC has acquired the UK rights to new teen drama series Falcon Beach.

The show - co-produced by Canada's Global TV and ABC Family in the US - centres on the lives and loves of a group of youngsters living in the fictional town of Falcon Beach.

Two versions of each episode are produced for the benefit of the respective North American audiences; one that includes Canadian geographic and cultural references and another tailored for the US.

The BBC has picked up the first season of fourteen episodes and the forthcoming second season of thirteen. It plans to screen the series in a daytime slot from early next year.

David Ellender, CEO of distributor Fremantle, said: "Dramas of this calibre are rare and trhe broadcasters that have seen the potential of Falcon Beach will soon be the envy of their rivals."

Other licensing deals include ABC in Australia, RTE in Ireland, EBC in Thailand and Show TV in Turkey.