Narrative Entertainment acquires UK rights to Wild West Chronicles
August 7, 2023
UK broadcaster Narrative Entertainment has announced that it has acquired exclusive UK rights to Wild West Chronicles seasons 2 and 3 for its GREAT! action channel.
Narrative Entertainment has acquired the series from distributor Imagicomm Entertainment via sales agent, Alfred Haber Television.
This new commitment follows strong performance of Wild West Chronicles season 1, which entertained over 1.1 million adults on Narrative’s GREAT! action channel in the first half of 2023. GREAT! action targets male-skewing audiences with its fast-paced mix of adventure, combat and action-hero films, and is recognised for the strength of its Western movies. The channel has posted +16 per cent share and +10 per cent audience growth for Men35+ in 2023.
Wild West Chronicles will take up a regular midday slot and become a trusted gateway to GREAT! action’s ‘Westerns at 1’ strand. Totalling 24 x 30’ episodes, seasons 2 and 3 chronicle important events and characters from the history of the Wild West in a high quality, riveting and original scripted docudrama format, and will premiere from August1th and 14th respectively.
Wild West Chronicles will also feature on GREAT! player, as Narrative Entertainment opens new avenues and platforms for viewers to enjoy its market-leading GREAT! brands. The GREAT! network also includes brands GREAT! movies, GREAT! romance, GREAT! tv, and seasonal channel GREAT! christmas.
Narrative Entertainment recently announced trend-busting audience growth in the last year with SOV leaping +12 per cent year on year for the GREAT! network, which also posted commercial impacts growth of +6 per cent year on year in contrast to market decline of -6 per cent, delivering share of commercial impacts (SOCI) growth of +13 per cent.
Steve Hornsey, Narrative Entertainment’s VP, Movies & Entertainment, said: “GREAT! action is the recognised free TV home of fast-paced, high-octane movie-based entertainment that really packs a punch. Western films are at the heart of the brand’s content mix, and Wild West Chronicles is the perfect complement. This unique series tells the important stories from the Wild West through a gripping and engaging scripted docudrama format. With our commitment to further series, Narrative Entertainment and the GREAT! network is delighted to bring more new and exclusive episodes to our growing audience and western fans in the UK.”
“Wild West Chronicles has had immense success in the US, and we’re proud to partner with Narrative Entertainment to allow viewers in the UK to experience this one-of-a-kind docudrama,” added Jonathan Collins, VP & General Manager of Digital Distribution for Imagicomm Entertainment. “Not only does Wild West Chronicles appeal to history buffs and fans of the Old West, it captivates viewers of different age groups and appeals to enthusiasts of various genres. We’re excited for UK audiences to discover and appreciate the unique richness of Western history.”