Channel 4 acquires Abbott Elementary

Acclaimed school comedy part of a major new content deal

Acclaimed US comedy Abbott Elementary is to be streamed for free on Channel 4’s platform from later this year.

The mockumentary, about a predominantly black Philadelphia public school, has won three Emmys since it launched on America’s ABC network in late 2021.

Now the first two series will air on E4 before dropping on the streaming service as par tof a new deal beyween the broadcaster and Disney.

Also coming to the platform are Grown-Ish – the spin-off from Kenya Barris’s comedy Black-ish – The X Files, Bones, Empire, Alias, The Americans, Scandal, Star and The Killing. among new multi-series box sets joining Channel 4’s extensive streaming service

This latest deal will add over 1,000 hours of American programming to Channel 4’s streaming platform from this summer.

Nick Lee, head of acquisitions at Channel 4 said: ‘We’re so pleased to have agreed such an extensive content deal with Disney, ranging from their most iconic series like X Files to fresh hits such as Abbott Elementary and Star. We look forward to our viewers being able to binge series after series on Channel 4.’

The ensemble cast for Abbott Elementary includes Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Currently only available to subscribers to Disney+, it is a workplace comedy following a group of dedicated, passionate teachers in an underfunded, mismanaged school. A third series is in the pipeline in the US.

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Published: 4 Jul 2023