UKTV has acquired a high-profile slate of US dramas from Paramount Global Content Distribution, including the UK broadcast premiere of NCIS: Sydney Seasons 1 and 2 for U&alibi, as well as NCIS: New Orleans (Seasons 1–7) for entertainment channel U&W and SEAL Team (Seasons 1–5) for its free streaming service U. The deal is the latest between UKTV and Paramount Global Content Distribution and was brokered by Sophie Judge and Harriet Armston-Clarke, Senior Global Acquisitions Managers for UKTV and BBC Studios and Matt Downer, Sr. Vice President, Regional TV Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution and Carlos Mata, Vice President, Regional TV Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Sophie Judge commented:
“We’re delighted to expand our collaboration with Paramount to bring quality US drama to UK audiences. NCIS: Sydney is a perfect fit for U&alibi’s crime-loving viewers, while NCIS: New Orleans and SEAL Team bolster our free streaming service U with compelling, high-impact storytelling.”
Matt Downer, Paramount Global Content Distribution, added:
“This new licensing agreement with UKTV reinforces the strength and reach of our content portfolio. Bringing three standout series – including two from our hugely successful NCIS franchise – to audiences across the region highlights the continued global resonance of these stories.”
NCIS: Sydney season 1 (8 hours) will premiere on U&alibi in February, marking its first-ever UK broadcast followed by season 2 (10 hours) later in 2026. The series expands the iconic NCIS franchise into the Southern Hemisphere, following a multinational taskforce of U.S. NCIS agents and Australian Federal Police tackling naval crimes in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet. NCIS: Sydney is produced for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia by Endemol Shine Australia
NCIS: New Orleans Seasons 1-6 (139 hours) and SEAL Team Seasons 1–4 (80 hours) will be available on U from early December, bringing fan-favourite action and military drama to UKTV’s free streaming audience. NCIS: New Orleans Season 7 (16 hours) will be available from January and SEAL Team Season 5 (14 hours) will be added in April. NCIS: New Orleans will also TX on U&W from the 3rd December.
NCIS: New Orleans is a drama that investigates criminal cases affecting military personnel in The Big Easy, a city known for its music, entertainment and decadence. The series was produced by CBS Studios.
SEAL Team is a military drama that follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high stakes missions their country can ask of them. The series was produced by CBS Studios.
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For more information please contact:
Rebecca Ferris, Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.