MUMBAI: Australian public broadcaster ABC has acquired an extensive multi-title portfolio of new season drama and comedy for primetime broadcast from ITV Studios.

The deal includes ITV1’s modern crime thriller Identity, the BBC sitcom Miranda, and the new season of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, which ITV Studios Global Entertainment is set to premiere at MIPTV 2010.

ABC Television head of programming Marena Manzoufas said, "Today’s news will be one of ABC’s biggest UK acquisition deals in spring 2010. In an increasingly competitive and diversifying television market, UK scripts continue to connect and perform extremely well with our viewers. We’re delighted to confirm that ABC homes will be enjoying all-new Poirot and Marple this autumn, complemented with the very funny Miranda, a remarkable biopic about Margot Fonteyn and the highly charged Identity – which we believe will grip TV audiences."

ITV Studios senior vice president – distribution for Australia, New Zealand and Japan Augustus Dulgaro said, "The deal includes upcoming seasons of the long running drama’s Poirot and Marple, which have established a strong following on ABC – together with all-new Identity and Miranda, which are both being tipped for second series commissions."