The rest of the world can breathe easy — NBCUniversal won’t make overseas viewers wait for “Sharknado 2.”
The Peacock plans a day-and-date launch for the sequel to the goofy Syfy pic that went into the pop culture stratosphere last summer. “Sharknado 2” will roll out on Syfy outlets in 86 countries within 24 hours of its July 30 debut on the U.S. mothership. Those territories include the U.K., Australia, Asia, France, Germany and Latin America.
The plan by NBCU’s Universal Networks Intl. wing is in keeping with the push for simultaneous global launches by media congloms such as 21st Century Fox and Sony that have significant global reach through their own branded channels. Day-and-date launches helps combat piracy and adds to the “event” status of a program. And by any measure, the unleashing of the shark storm on Gotham in “Sharknado 2” should qualify as an event on the cheesy-TV Richter scale.
“Wherever possible we like to ensure that our international Syfy channels premiere big event programs alongside the U.S.,” commented Steve Patscheck, Universal Networks Intl.’s exec VP of programming. “Based on the breakout success of the original – and the instant swell of enthusiasm on social media – we wanted to make ‘Sharknado 2’ an immediate experience for international Syfy viewers from Europe and Latin America to Asia Pacific.”
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The sequel reunites stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, who were last seen fighting off sharks in Los Angeles, and “Sharknado” writer Thunder Levin and director Anthony C. Ferrante.
