ITVS preps FAST channel stocked with ‘best European drama’ from labels

Masontonio

ITV Studios (ITVS) is to launch two FAST channels in Europe with Samsung TV Plus, including one that the global distribution giant says will become the “home for the best European drama” produced by its own labels.

Storylands will be stocked with shows produced by labels that belong to the company, ITVS said, including Masontonio, from Suburra prodco Cattleya.

Norwegian legal series Aber Bergen and period drama Un Village Français are also on the slate for the channel, which marks the first partnership between ITVS and the electronics giant.

A second channel is dedicated to US cooking competition Hell’s Kitchen, with both set to initially launch in the UK before being rolled out to wider European markets, including Germany and Italy.

ITVS described the launches as “the next step” into the evolving FAST market, following last year’s launch of unscripted quartet Our World, Our Life, Our Stories, Our Histories on YouTube.

Ruth Berry, MD at ITV Studios Global Distribution, said: “We have an amazing library of 90,000+ hours of IP and the FAST/AVOD space is a key strategic focus for ITV Studios as we look to provide global audiences with new ways to access some of our best known scripted brands, formats and non scripted entertainment content.”

Richard Jakeman, European head of business development for Samsung, said: “The growth of Samsung TV Plus has everything to do with the quality of the content. We are working hard to deliver the best content possible to our customers, wherever they are. The addition of Storylands by ITV Studios and Hell’s Kitchen will enforce our commitment to a wide variety of quality programming for everyone.”