Russian Format Versions of "Law & Order" Premiere on NTV

The Russian format version of " Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" premiered in prime-time on March 12, on Russia's NTV network, marking the first scripted procedural format of a U.S. series ever to air overseas.  In Moscow, the premiere scored a 20.5 share /8.1 rating, placing the series #1 in its timeslot and winning the night overall.  A second original episode aired March 13, scoring a 23.2 share/8.9 rating, also winning its timeslot and the night overall.  "The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Russian format airs in prime time on Mondays and Tuesdays on NTV at 7:45 p.m.  A Russian format version of " Law & Order: Criminal Intent" premiered March 14, on NTV in the same timeslot, scoring a 23.1 share/9 rating.

The Russian format versions of " Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: SVU" are co-productions of Russian production company 2V and Global American Television.  The deal was first announced in May 2006 by NBC Universal International Television Distribution, Wolf Films, and Russian broadcaster NTV.  The announcement marked the second and third international format deals for the " Law & Order" brand, the most successful in primetime U.S. television history. A French version of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was announced in July 2005 and is scheduled to premiere on France's TF1 later this year.

The unprecedented agreements mark the first time in Russian history a U.S. primetime drama series would be remade for a local audience. The Russian versions of "Law & Order: Criminal Inten" and "Law & Order: SVU" adapt the original U.S. scripts, taking into account language, culture and the local justice system. Both series are produced by 2V and GATV, on behalf of NTV, in association with NBC Universal and Wolf Films. In order to adapt the series for a Russian audience, 2V's Pavel Korchagin and GATV's Ed Wierzbowski consulted with the "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Law & Order: SVU" creative teams, including Dick Wolf, the shows' writers and producers, along with Leslie Jones, vice president of international sales and format production for NBC Universal International Television Distribution.

We're thrilled that our first " Law & Order " formats to premiere have performed so well out of the gate and we look forward to seeing " Law & Order" become as much of a household name in Russia as it is here in the States," said Leslie Jones, vice president of international sales and format production, NBC Universal International Television Distribution. "The fact that audiences have quickly embraced these series is testament to the quality of the productions, as well as the global appeal of the " Law & Order" brand and its stories."