Wild West Chronicles Brings History to Life on UK’s GREAT! Action Channel
UK broadcaster Narrative Entertainment has secured exclusive UK rights to seasons 2 and 3 of the popular series, Wild West Chronicles, through a distribution deal with Imagicomm Entertainment. The show will be aired on Narrative’s GREAT! action channel, which is known for its thrilling blend of adventure, combat, and action-hero films, with a strong focus on Western movies. With a 16% share and 10% audience growth for Men35+ in 2023, GREAT! action has become a popular choice among male audiences.
The new seasons of Wild West Chronicles, comprising a total of 24 captivating episodes, will delve into significant events and characters from the history of the Wild West. Presented in an original scripted docudrama format, the series offers a unique and immersive perspective on this iconic era. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on August 7, followed by Season 3 on August 14, 2023.
The decision to acquire seasons 2 and 3 comes after the tremendous success of Wild West Chronicles season 1, which entertained over 1.1 million adults on the GREAT! action channel during the first half of 2023. To further strengthen its lineup, Wild West Chronicles will now occupy a regular midday slot, providing audiences with a reliable gateway to the channel’s Western films at 1 strand.
Not only will Wild West Chronicles be featured on the GREAT! action channel, but it will also be available on the GREAT! player, expanding the viewing options for fans of the brand. Narrative Entertainment intends to leverage its market-leading GREAT! brands, including GREAT! Movies, GREAT! Romance, GREAT! TV, and the seasonal channel GREAT! Christmas, across multiple platforms to cater to diverse viewer preferences.
The success and growth of the GREAT! network, as highlighted by a 12% year-on-year increase in SOV (share of voice) and 6% year-on-year commercial impacts growth, demonstrate Narrative Entertainment’s ability to engage and captivate audiences. These impressive results stand in stark contrast to the market’s overall decline of 6%, indicating the network’s strength and resilience.
Steve Hornsey, Narrative Entertainment’s VP of movies & entertainment, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, GREAT! action is the recognized free TV home of fast-paced, high-octane movie-based entertainment that really packs a punch. Western films are at the heart of the brand’s content mix, and Wild West Chronicles is the perfect complement. He added that the series presents the Wild West’s important stories through a gripping and engaging scripted docudrama format, and with the commitment to additional seasons, Narrative Entertainment aims to provide an expanding audience of UK viewers and Western enthusiasts with more exclusive episodes.
Jonathan Collins, VP & general manager of digital distribution for Imagicomm Entertainment, emphasized the uniqueness and appeal of Wild West Chronicles, stating, Not only does Wild West Chronicles appeal to history buffs and fans of the Old West, it captivates viewers of different age groups and appeals to enthusiasts of various genres. We’re excited for UK audiences to discover and appreciate the unique richness of Western history.
With the upcoming premieres of seasons 2 and 3 on the GREAT! action channel, fans of Wild West Chronicles can look forward to an enthralling and authentic portrayal of the Wild West’s intriguing past. By bringing history to life through an engaging mix of drama and factual storytelling, the series promises to capture the imagination of viewers across the UK.
