Detectives deliver drama deal

ALMOST 90 hours of drama produced in Scotland by SMG Productions has been bought for a “seven-figure sum” to appear on a cable and satellite drama channel.

Eighty-one hours of the detective series, Taggart, plus eight hours of the other SMG detective series, Rebus, has been bought by UKTV Drama.

The deal – brokered by distributor, Minotaur International – sees both series being transmitted later this year on UKTV Drama’s Crime at Nine strand, alongside other established series such as Dalziel and Pascoe, Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Silent Witness.

Says Elizabeth Partyka, managing director of SMG Productions: “Taggart and Rebus are two of our most successful brands and this deal shows that there is an ongoing demand for engaging high quality drama. SMG Productions delivers that, and I’m thrilled that UKTV viewers have hours of great viewing to look forward to.”

Taggart is British television’s longest-running crime drama, having begun 23 years ago.