Nine reveals its 'Underbelly' at Mip

Deal will see show bow in over 50 territories

By PAUL CHAI

SYDNEY -- Continuing an extraordinary run of success Nine Network's gangster skein, "Underbelly" has been picked up by Fox Intl. Channels and Blighty-based distrib Portman Film & Television.

Deal, inked by Portman's Chris Bartlett, will see the Screentime-produced skein bow in more than 50 territories including the U.K., Italy and Russia.

"Underbelly," currently Oz's hottest drama, tells the story of a decade-long gangland war on the streets of Melbourne.

So raw is the subject matter that a court banned it from airing in the Australian state of Victoria where a current "character" from the show is still awaiting a murder trial.