Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 30, 2012) - Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks announced today they have signed a deal with Gaumont International Television to bring Hannibal, a new series based on the world-renowned mythology and infamous character portrait of Thomas Harris' "Hannibal Lecter," to AXN networks around the world. The announcement was made by Marie Jacobson, executive vice president, programming and production, Networks, SPT and Erik Pack, head international distribution and co-production, Gaumont International Television.

Produced by Gaumont International Television in association with SPT Networks, the series will be broadcast on SPT's AXN networks in 63 countries, versioned in 18 languages around the globe. Executive Produced by Bryan Fuller (Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me) and directed by David Slade (Twilight Eclipse, 30 Days of Night, Awake pilot), Hannibal takes viewers back to the beginning and introduces two of fiction's most enigmatic characters for the first time. Hugh Dancy (The Big C, Confessions of a Shopaholic, King Arthur) is set to play Will Graham, with casting underway for Hannibal. Production is anticipated to begin in late July.

"Hannibal continues our strategic efforts to develop defining shows for SPT's networks," said Jacobson. "Gaumont has assembled a world class team to bring this bold origin story to life."

"We are delighted to be teamed up with SPT on this much anticipated series," commented Pack. "They are the perfect partner for us as they are able to offer Hannibal to a worldwide audience in over 63 countries."

In the US, Hannibal has received a 13-episode order from NBC and is set to launch mid-season. The series will have a near day and date release across AXN's footprint.

Hannibal is SPT Networks' latest co-production to air across AXN's global footprint, following the launch of The Firm, whose international premiere event reached more than 126 million households. With Hannibal, SPT unveils an event series ideally suited for its AXN channels across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central Europe, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Russia and Spain. AXN is SPT's highly successful pay cable and satellite television network known for its high-quality international and locally produced programming. AXN is actively seeking and developing both global and local original series to expand its ratings-winning line-up and further differentiate itself as the drama destination of choice around the world.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT produces 6,000+ hours of programming annually in over 70 countries. SPT is a leader in local language productions, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats around the world. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 754 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT GAUMONT INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION
Gaumont International Television is the newly launched production and distribution studio based in Los Angeles and part of Gaumont, the legendary European-based motion picture studio. Gaumont, formed in 1895, is one of the main European production companies with a film library holding over 900 titles. As an independent studio, Gaumont International Television is producing high-quality drama and comedy television programming for the U.S. and international markets with a number of projects currently in the works, including "Hannibal" for NBC and "Hemlock Grove" for Netflix.