E4 in UK buys Fox’s ‘Animal Control’ marking scripted deal first

Animal Control

UK channel E4 has picked up rights to Fox’s single-camera comedy Animal Control.

The deal marks the first scripted licensing deal between distributor Fox Entertainment Global (FEG) and E4 parent Channel 4, with the show set to air on E4’s linear network.

The comedy has already been sold by FEG to Foxtel’s Fox8 and Binge in Australia, where it debuted in May, as well as to CBC Gem in Canada and TVNZ in New Zealand.

Animal Control was produced by Fox Entertainment Studios and follows an eccentric former cop who, after a failed attempt at exposing corruption in his police department, finds himself incarcerating animals.

Channel 4’s head of acquisitions, Nick Lee, described the show as “fresh and clever comedy with a stellar cast,” which includes Joe McHale.

The show is Fox Entertainment’s first wholly owned live-action comedy. It was renewed for a second season earlier this year after becoming the company’s most-streamed series debut and most-streamed comedy telecast.