Lionsgate strikes first int’l deal for Charlie Sheen comedy

Canadian broadcaster CTV has acquired Charlie Sheen’s forthcoming sitcom Anger Management after its parent company struck a deal with Lionsgate. This marks the first international sale of the high-profile series.

The deal could see the Canadian network air up to 100 episodes of the comedy; ten episodes will be produced for US cable network FX and if it hits certain ratings targets, 90 more episodes will be produced.

The syndication style deal has been set up by Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury and Lionsgate’s international sales arm is distributing the series. It is expected to close more deals in Latin America and Europe in the coming months.

Bell Media-owned CTV has acquired multi-platform rights to the series, which is based on the 2003 feature film starring Jack Nicholson. Production of the series, which will be helmed by The Drew Carey Show’s Bruce Helford, is set to start in early 2012.

The deal was struck by Lionsgate international television executives Peter Iacono and Lawrence Szabo and Bell Media’s Mike Cosentino, SVP, programming, CTV Networks.

Sheen said in a statement: “You [Canadians] seem like the nicest people in the world. But I know the truth. You’re holding in a lot of anger. Why else would you drink so much beer, put on shoes with sharp blades, and smack each other around with wooden sticks? I chose Anger Management because, while it might be a big stretch for me to play a guy with serious anger management issues, I think it is a great concept.”