Channel 5 has acquired America's hottest new drama, CSI - Crime Scene Investigation, it was announced today.

In the US, 20m viewers tune in to CSI every week making it their third biggest show beaten only by ER and Survivor. The show, from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, will launch on Channel 5 with a feature length pilot episode on Saturday 9th June at 9.00pm before moving to a weekly slot on Saturdays at 8.00pm the following week.

The series follows the lives of a dedicated team of crime scene investigators in Las Vegas.

Creator Anthony Zuiker developed the series because of his wife's addiction to real-life crime shows. He shadowed the Las Vegas Police Department to guarantee the shows authenticity.

Jeff Ford, Director of Acquisitions said: "I am thrilled to be able to confirm that Channel 5 have bought the first run TV rights to America's hottest new show, CSI. In the US it has created such a storm and I am sure it will generate the same enthusiasm among viewers this side of the pond."

The show features an array of talented actors from film and television including William Petersen (Manhunter, The Contender) who plays Gil Grissom, the senior forensics officer who lives and breathes his job, Marg Helgenberger (ER, Erin Brockovich) as Catherine Willows, an ex-stripper and single mother juggling the job, and Paul Guilfoyle (The Negotiator, Amistad) as Jim Grass, a no-nonsense investigator who assists from his position in Homicide.