ITV Studios to launch branded block in Japan

A Japanese satellite broadcaster has signed a deal to launch a branded ITV programming block on one of its channels.

Imagica TV will launch a new ITV Studios Global Entertainment brand, ITV Collection, on its Imagica BS network in October.

The multi-year agreement will comprise an annual 200 episodes of premium drama programmes such as Mr Selfridge, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Brideshead Revisited.

Imagica will also launch an ITV Collection VOD service that features a wider selection of shows.

“ITVS GE’s brand of high-quality drama programming has always proven recognisable and popular with Japanese audiences,” said Augustus Dulgaro, executive VP, Asia Pacific for ITV’s global content arm ITVSGE.

“We are delighted that Imagica TV will be further developing this brand by creating ITV Collection, a dedicated scheduling block where viewers can watch all of their favourite ITV dramas.”

The news comes less than two weeks after ITVSGE announced it was restructuring its distribution business along regional lines, with Dulgaro widening his remit, and Dan Gopal and Greg Johnson handed promotions.