Disney’s Freeform opens US ‘The Office’ in the New Year

The Office (US)

Disney-owned network Freeform has acquired non-exclusive rights to all nine seasons of the US version of mockumentary series The Office from NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

Freeform will begin airing the Steve Carell-fronted comedy on 1 January 2022. Comedy Central had the exclusive syndicated rights to the end of this year, while Viacom Media Networks will continue with a non-exclusive window up to 2025.

Adapted from the British series of the same name, The Office is a mockumentary-style workplace comedy follows the lives of employees at Dunder-Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The show is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille Productions.

Freeform will launch the series with two marathons over New Year’s weekend, starting with a countdown of the 30 Best Episodes, as chosen by fans.

“The Office is a comedy masterpiece that satirizes everyday office life,” said Chuck Saftler, head of business operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks and acquisitions in Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution’s Networks division.

“I can’t think of a better way for Freeform to ring in 2022 when so many people are preparing to head back to their workplace offices. It’s a perfect primer and further positions Freeform as a go-to destination for bold, irreverent programming.”