Five hangs on to key acquisitions

Five has renewed licensing agreements for some of its key acquisitions, despite strong competition from rival broadcasters.

As previously reported, the broadcaster has signed a new contract with NBCU for medical drama House worth an estimated £500,000 per episode. The deal also includes multichannel rights for struggling digital channels Five US and Five Life.

Also covered are the three series in the Law & Order franchise. They too will be screened on Five US and Five Life.

"Five has an enviable reputation of acquiring the best US dramas," said Lisa Opie, Five's MD of content. "I am delighted that we can now broaden this further to reach even more viewers."

Separately, Five has signed a deal giving it the UK terrestrial rights to season three of Grey's Anatomy. Five's director of acquisitions Vanessa Brookman, who negotiated the deal with BVITV, said she was "delighted" to have kept hold of the series. She added: "The show is a perfect fit for Five's raft of top-rating acquired dramas."