MIPCOM 2012: A&E's 'Pawn Stars' Heads to the U.K.

Pawn Stars has finalized its first foreign format deal via an agreement reached Sunday between A&E Networks and A&E Networks UK. The two have essentially greenlit a British version of the History Channel 's top-rated nonfiction series, and Leftfield Pictures, the American producer, will do the honors in Britain as well.

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The international History channel offshoots are also funding the project and will eventually air the formatted version.

"This commission establishes a new model whereby History channels around the world will own this phenomenal franchise extension," said Christian Murphy, SVP of International Programming and Marketing for A&E Networks.

The average audience for Pawn Stars has quadrupled since it first launched in the UK in January 2010.

The producers are currently casting the UK version.

Slated to begin production in Q4 2012, the British commission (8 x 1 hours) will, per the cabler, contain the same elements that have made Pawn Stars a success in the US, but will be uniquely adapted for an international audience.

Brent Montgomery, owner of Leftfield Pictures and executive producer of Pawn Stars, said:"There is such depth and richness in English history, that we felt marrying it with Pawn Stars was a natural extension of the brand."