Sci-Fi channel licenses 3rd Rock

The Sci-Fi channel has sub-licensed all six seasons of hit US sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sunfrom Paramount Comedy.

The Sci-Fi channel has sub-licensed all six seasons of hit US sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sunfrom Paramount Comedy.

It will be the first sitcom to air on the NBC Universal-owned Sci-Fi Channel. The three-year deal begins in January next year and follows Sci-Fi's acquisition of the new Flash Gordonseries from RHI.

The show, which stars John Lithgow, chronicles the adventures of a group of intellectually superior aliens who are sent to Earth to study mankind.

Sci-Fi programming director Jon Farrar said: ' 3rd Rockproved to be a clever, stand-out show right from the start. It's packed with punchy one-liners, belly-laughs and endearing characters.'

The Sci-Fi channel will have exclusivity on the series for the first six months and the show will only air in daytime on Paramount Comedy from July 2008.

The deal was brokered by Paramount Comedy head of acquisitions Sarah Baines

Paramount Comedy has also relicensed series one and two of That 70s Showand licensed series six for the first time. Virgin Media TV holds the rights to the other series.