From WestWind Pictures:
Little Mosque on the Prairie Producers Ink First International Distribution Deal With French Broadcasting Giant Canal+
- Show to begin airing July 2007 in France, French-speaking regions in Switzerland and French-speaking African countries
WestWind Pictures, the Toronto-based television production company responsible for the break-out hit Canadian television situation comedy Little Mosque On The Prairie has signed its first international distribution deal for the show with French broadcasting giant Canal+, announced Mary Darling, the show’s executive producer and president of WestWind Pictures.
Canal+ will begin airing Little Mosque On The Prairie’s first season (8 episodes) in July 2007. Canal+ also has an option within the deal for acquiring future seasons of the show. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The show, which will air in France as well as in French-speaking regions in Switzerland and French-speaking countries in Africa, will air in voice-over format. Additionally, Canal+ will make Little Mosque On The Prairie available to viewers (who do not have the pay channel) via un-encrypting the show when it airs.
“Little Mosque On The Prairie’s international success is a testament to the quality of Canadian talent and how it is embraced around the world,” said Kirstine Layfield, executive director, network programming, CBC Television.
Little Mosque On The Prairie averaged one million viewers per episode in its first season and is currently in production on season two.
Canal+ is responsible for bringing such hit American television shows as 24, Desperate Housewives, Will & Grace, Weeds and The Simpsons into the international French-speaking markets.
