25.11.02
David
Brent's "Office" to appear in 60 countries around the
world
Millions
of office workers around the world, from the tulip exporters of
the Netherlands to the bulls and bears of Wall Street, are set to
encounter the dilemmas and dramas of David Brent's paper merchants
in Slough, England.
BBC
Worldwide, the main commercial consumer arm of the BBC, has concluded
a raft of deals across the world for the award-winning "mocusoap"
-The Office, and further deals are in the pipeline.
The
Office, series one, has been licensed to New Zealand, Finland, Bosnia,
France, Australia, Iceland, The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Holland, and to BBC Worldwide's wholly owned channels, BBC Prime
and BBC America. Collectively, the series will be seen in more than
60 countries and territories worldwide.
Series
one of The Office aired on BBC Canada to rave reviews and is currently
airing on UKTV in Australia.
Rupert
Gavin, CEO of BBC Worldwide, said, "The Office, works across
all countries and cultures. The work environment may differ from
country to country, but there are comic scenarios in this series
that workers from New York to New Zealand will recognise. We think
The Office will achieve cult status in other countries, as it has
in the UK."
The
Office, a satire on white-collar office life has proved a UK ratings
winner with the concluding episode of series two attracting 4.4
million viewers and a 22% audience share when it broadcast on BBC
TWO on the 4th November 2002.
The
DVD of The Office (series one) became BBC Worldwide's fastest selling
non-film title ever, shifting more than 80,000 units in the first
week, after it went on sale on October 14 2002, beating Pheonix
Nights, 24 and Friends.
The
Office has won eight awards, including two BAFTAs for Best Situation
Comedy and Best Comedy Performance.
The
Office is written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
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