Hulu Plus Gets 'Elementary' Rights

3 Feb, 2014 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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CBS Corp. Feb. 3 said Hulu Plus has acquired subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) rights to its drama “Elementary,” starring Jonny Lee Miller as detective Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson.

The SVOD rights are for the first season of the series as CBS does not distribute current-season episodic programming to SVOD platforms — with the exception of special deals with Amazon Prime Instant Video for “Under the Dome” and “Extant” this summer. Financials terms were not disclosed.

“Elemenatry” is a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD’s most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escaped to Manhattan where his wealthy father forced him to live with his worst nightmare — a sober companion, Dr. Watson. The series also stars Aidan Quinn and Jon Michael Hall.

“After the breakthrough success of 'The Good Wife' on Hulu Plus, we’re excited to offer subscribers more past seasons of outstanding current CBS programming, as the exclusive subscription video on demand home for “Elementary,” Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins said in a statement.

The series was the most-watched new broadcast show during the 2012-13 season. Currently in its second season, “Elementary” is averaging 12.1 million viewers and is ranked #4 among all primetime programs in L7 (up to 7 days after broadcast) viewer lift, averaging a +4.15 million viewer increase over its live-plus-same-day average.

"[The show] has been a strong performer for CBS on-air, online, on VOD and in DVR playback,” Scott Koondel, chief corporate content licensing officer for CBS, said in a statement. “Its ability to play and succeed on all platforms speaks to the value the series will bring to Hulu Plus and its subscribers.”

 

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