'Underbelly'
DirecTV has acquired Oz drama "Underbelly" as a way to beef up the programming lineup for its 101 Network.
Satcaster has pacted to run three seasons of "Underbelly," the first two already completed and the third in production. Skein, which won best drama series in Oz, focuses on the drug-fueled and violent Australian underworld from the 1970s through to the beginning of this decade.
First season, titled "Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities," is set to launch Feb. 10, and will immediately follow the fourth-season finale of "Friday Night Lights." DirecTV and NBC share production costs on the Texas-set high school football series that isn't skedded to run on the Peacock until next summer.
Series currently running on the 101 Network include "Dexter," "Eyes," "Deadwood" and "Oz."
"Underbelly" is produced by the Australian Film Finance Corp., in association with Film Victoria. Greg Hedrick and Brenda Pam produce, while Des Monaghan and Jo Horsburgh exec produce.
Contact Stuart Levine at
stuart.levine@variety.com