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Thanks to a unique collaboration between Impossible Pictures Limited (IPL) ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖW) and ITV, hit sci-fi drama, Primeval, is guaranteed to return to UK and international TV screens in 2011.

Thirteen scripts are in development as a result of a commercial strategy developed by IPL's Managing Director, Jonathan Drake, and implemented through ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide's international network. The funding package also ensures that the spectacular special effects that have made Primeval such a huge success with audiences around the world will continue in the new series.

Jonathan Drake, MD of Impossible Pictures Ltd says: "The dramatic changes in the business of broadcasting in the last 12 months have meant we have had to completely rethink how we put the funding together for a top-end series like Primeval. The fact that the series is so well established and loved both in the UK and overseas has meant that everyone has been willing to do their best to give us the backing we needed. With the continued enthusiasm of co-producers such as ProSieben and the fantastic support of the team at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide we have stitched together a ground-breaking clutch of deals that will guarantee Primeval’s ongoing success.

Original co-production partners ITV, ProSieben and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide return to co-fund the new series, with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide becoming the largest funding partner. US cable network, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ America, takes on a full co-production credit for the first time and multichannel broadcaster UKTV becomes a first-time investor.

Helen Jackson, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide's Director of Independents added: "There was a real desire between all partners to make this project succeed and to bring Primeval back from the brink of extinction. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide's increased investment in the title is a reflection of our belief in the quality of the whole production and its international appeal."

In a unique agreement which also includes acquiring the multichannel broadcast rights to series 1, 2 and 3, UKTV is pre-investing in two brand new series of Primeval for its new entertainment pay TV channel, Watch. Series 4 will premiere on ITV1 in early 2011, while series 5 will receive its UK premiere on Watch later that year, ahead of ITV1.

Paul Moreton, Channel Head of Watch says, "This is the first time UKTV has co-funded a British drama with another UK broadcaster and we are really excited to be part of this truly innovative deal. I know Primeval is going to be a massive hit with Watch viewers and the perfect complement to other popular sci-fi dramas such as Doctor Who and Torchwood."

Laura Mackie, Director of ITV Drama Commissioning, said: "We're delighted to have agreed this new deal with Impossible to return Primeval to ITV1. The innovative nature of this partnership will allow the show to maintain its high production values and deliver the fantastic programme that our viewers know and love."

Richard de Croce, SVP Programming at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ America adds: "Primeval is one of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ America's all time top ten shows and we're thrilled to be co-producing two new series."

Thomas von Hennet, ProSieben's Head of International Co-Productions: "PRIMEVAL is a major highlight of ProSieben's mystery line-up. As co-producers of the first hour, we are enthused to be continuing our commitment to one of the most successful international series coming out of Europe."

The new series will be showrun once again by Adrian Hodges and will feature the return of stars from the previous series, including Hannah Spearritt, Andrew Lee Potts and Jason Flemyng, alongside special effects created by the award-winning team at Framestore CFC.

Primeval is one of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide's most successful drama exports and has been sold to over 45 countries, including Australia, America, Singapore and South Korea. In the UK the show, which broadcast on ITV1, reached audiences of over 5.5 million every week.

Chris Charlton