MUMBAI: ITV Studios Global Entertainment Ltd Australia has signed a four-year drama and movies output agreement with NBC Universal Global Networks Asia Pacific’s 13TH STREET and Hallmark Channels in Australia.

Australasia channel director Ros Jones said, "We are extremely pleased to announce this significant output deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment. With this partnership, viewers of Hallmark Channel and our soon to be launched murder mystery channel 13TH STREET will get to watch an entirely new slate of high quality drama and movies."

The cable rights output deal will supply more than 500 hours of drama and Hollywood television movies to the broadcaster, including all series of television dramas like Agatha Christie’s Marple, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and the second series of The Murdoch Mysteries for 13TH STREET.

Hallmark Channel will broadcast new Hollywood movies, including: Toxic Skies starring Anne Heche; Mrs Washington Goes to Smith starring Cybil Shepherd; Diverted starring Shawn Ashmore and Playing for Keeps starring Roger Cross.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment senior vice president, Australia, New Zealand & Japan – TV distribution Augustus Dulgaro said, "Already home to our hugely popular dramas such as Blue Murder and Rosemary & Thyme, we are delighted to be announcing this major four year output deal which will bring even more of the very best from ITV Studios and independently produced programming to millions of viewers on both channels."