12 Seasons of the Award-Winning UK Series now available on

the PBS Genealogy FAST channel on Pluto TV 

Amsterdam, 17 December 2024: Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries and PBS Distribution have signed an acquisition deal for 12 seasons of the award-winning UK version of long-running format juggernaut Long Lost Family, alongside seven seasons of spin-off series What Happened Next. Both series will be available to watch on new FAST channel, PBS Genealogy, which is now available on Pluto TV in the US, as well as with PBS Passport, a station member benefit available through the PBS app.

Over the course of two decades on air, since its launch on NPO1, Long Lost Family has been produced locally for channels including TLC in the US, Sweden’s TV4, Reshet in Israel, Ten in Australia, DR Denmark, and RTL in Hungary. Produced by Wall to Wall, the UK version originated on ITV, where it has been recognised by awards from BAFTA, Grierson, National TV and TV Choice and inspiring spin-off shows What Happened Next and Born Without Trace.

Wanting to know your personal history is something everyone can relate to.” said Andrea Downing, President of PBS Distribution. “These shows capture the essence of human relationships, and we’re pleased to bring these inspiring stories to viewers.”

Julian Curtis, Founder of Lineup Industries, said: “Long Lost Family is a show that never fails to deliver on emotional connection which is part of its timeless appeal. The UK version is a flagship for the format winning audiences all over the globe where it performs extremely well for Foxtel and ABC in Australia as well as Discovery in New Zealand and in the UK where they picked up secondary TV rights. We’re sure viewers will be captivated by these incredible heart-warming stories of reconnection.”

In each episode of Long Lost Family viewers are taken on a moving journey, from the revealing moment relatives are told their loved one has been traced, to the raw moment of the reunion which, in many cases, would only ever have happened in their wildest dreams. Long Lost Family explores the background and social context of each family’s estrangement and why it occurred. Spin-off show Long Lost Family – What Happened Next revisits the characters and stories from previous episodes.

For further information, please contact:

Aimée Norman at Liberi Consulting on: +44 (0) 7957 564 050 or aimee@libericonsulting.com

About Lineup Industries

With a global reach, Amsterdam-based Lineup Industries is an independent international distributor offering the highest level of sales expertise combined with a tailored, global service. The company consists of a senior team of executives with wide-ranging experience dealing with broadcasters, corporations, independent producers and individuals worldwide. Lineup Industries focuses on formats and derived IP and is competitive and streamlined in its approach, facilitating high quality materials and consultancy, ensuring consistency across every production through its lifespan. In 2016 Beta Film GmbH took a stakein Lineup Industries forging a complementary distribution partnership between the companies.  www.lineupindustries.com

About PBS Distribution

PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, entertaining audiences across platforms and formats. The company, a joint venture of PBS and GBH Boston, provides premium content through multiple digital channels and video services. PBS Distribution operates seven subscription streaming channels — PBS Masterpiece (US and CA), PBS KIDS, PBS Living, PBS Documentaries (US and CA) and PBS America (U.K.) as well as numerous Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) Channels in the U.S and U.K. In addition, the company reaches viewers through Transactional Video-on-Demand (TVOD), Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) licensing, Advertising-based Video on Demand (AVOD), DVD and Blu-ray, theatrical releasing, educational platforms, non-theatrical and inflight sales, and serves broadcasters and producers providing program sales and co-production financing.

PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators the highest quality factual, scripted, and children’s programming including films from Ken Burns, hit series from Masterpiece and foreign language dramas from Walter Presents, entertaining and educational PBS KIDS series, and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, and many independent producers. For over 10 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations, and producers.

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