FilmRise acquires Death Valley Days digital rights
November 1, 2023
FilmRise, the TV studio and streaming network, has acquired exclusive worldwide digital media rights to the iconic Western anthology series Death Valley Days.
Included are episodes featuring Ronald Reagan who hosted the programme from 1964-1966 marking his final work as an actor prior to pursuing his career in politics.
FilmRise will distribute the fully restored series across all major streaming platforms as well as on The FilmRise Streaming Network, including the FilmRise Western FAST Channel. The deal includes all 452 episodes across 18 seasons, running from 1952 until 1970. The announcement was made jointly today by FilmRise (Max Einhorn, SVP of Acquisitions & Co-Productions), Element5 (Roger Biff Johnson, Jr., Lance Young, and Jonathan Miller) and SFM Entertainment LLC (Michael Maizes, SVP).
Max Einhorn, SVP of Acquisitions & Co-Productions at FilmRise, commented: “This timeless TV series holds immense appeal to both mainstream audiences in the US and beyond. We have witnessed the remarkable success of westerns like The Rifleman, Hopalong Cassidy, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, and others which have captivated viewers for decades. We firmly believe that this classic series, featuring iconic talent, will strike a chord with audiences intrigued by the rich history of the Old West.”
Roger Biff Johnson Jr of Element5 said: “Death Valley Days stands out as the most successful syndicated television Western series, reigning as the most prosperous and enduring half-hour format of its genre. It’s remarkable longevity and acclaim make it the most successful scripted syndicated series of all time. We are thrilled to announce its availability for streaming audiences worldwide, ushering in a new era of appreciation for this iconic show.”
Originating on the radio in the 1930s the series features true accounts of the American Old West, specifically in the Death Valley area of southeastern California. In addition to former US President Ronald Reagan, acclaimed hosts of the series include Stanley Andrews, Robert Taylor and Dale Robertson. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Fess Parker were all guest stars of the series which was originally sponsored by ’20 Mule Team’ Borax, a product that was mined in Death Valley.