NBC Uni's cable studio cuts first deals

February 02, 2009 The studio, which services NBC Universal cable outlets USA Network and Sci Fi Channel, has inked its first deals: a two-year overall pact with "Psych" creator/executive producer Steve Franks and a one-year first-look deal with director Jace Alexander, who helmed the pilots for USA's "Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains" and Sci Fi's "Warehouse 13." "Steve is a phenomenal show creator and showrunner, while Jace directed three pilots that all have gone to series, and he has a great visual style," said Jeff Wachtel, UCP's co-head of original content and USA's programming chief. While "the initial priority is servicing USA and Sci Fi," UCP also is looking to sell to other networks, Wachtel said.

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