Fox’s Empire headed to UK youth net

Fox’s new season break-out hit Empire has landed on UK TV.

A deal between Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and British broadcaster Channel 4 will see the show air on young adult-skewed network E4.

The Lee Daniels-produced 12x60mins show follows the CEO of a hip-hop dynasty, who has to decide which of his children should succeed him after being diagnosed with a debilitating illness while dealing with his recently-paroled ex-wife.

In the US, it has scored huge numbers for Fox, becoming a top-rated new season show. It has been sold to broadcasters such as Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 and goes out exclusively on US subscription on-demand via Hulu.

“Empire has been a record breaking hit in the US,” said Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt. “It’s grown and grown as audiences have fallen in love with its unforgettable characters and soundtrack. I’m delighted it’s coming to E4.”

Steve Cornish, senior VP and managing director, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, added: “We are delighted to be working with E4 on Empire, the hottest new show on American television – it is the perfect home for the series.

“Viewers will be captivated by this ground breaking drama. We anticipate it will become as big of a hit with UK audiences, as it has with TV viewers in the US.”

Imagine Television produces the show in association with 20^th Century Fox Television.

In related news, E4 has commissioned Tripped, a comedy-drama starring Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners) in which a pair of friends find themselves in various parallel universes. Mammoth Screen is producing.