Five secures 'CSI' rights for new channels

Five has reached a new deal giving it both VOD and secondary broadcast rights to the CSI franchise.

The three series in the franchise - CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York - will be the "centrepiece" of the broadcaster's upcoming VOD service, which will allow users to pay to download episodes from its website. A similar service was recently launched by Channel 4, with its own hit US imports - Deperate Housewives and Lost - on offer.

The agreement with Alliance Atlantis also allows Five to air new episodes from the CSI franchise on its new digital channel Five US. Living TV has the multichannel rights to CSI and CSI: Miami - Five has exclusive rights to the New York spinoff - but under the deal, Five US will be able to screen episodes first.

Five US will also be able to air episodes from past seasons of all three shows.

"I'm delighted that the CSI franchise will be part of our new digital services," said Five chief executive Jane Lighting. "This deal further cements Five's reputation as the home of the very best in US drama and comedy."

Five US, new lifestyle channel Five Life and the VOD service will all launch this autumn.