'CSI' Reruns Help Prompt 'Da Vinci's Inquest'

The Canadian television series Da Vinci's Inquest has received a ratings boost this season thanks in part to reruns of CSI, encouraging American networks to import the series into the US.

The deal was sealed this week by Ritch Colbert, one of the heads of Program Partners, a Canadian distributing company, and many American networks to bring Da Vinci's Inquest to the United States for a two year run. CSI began its syndicated run last September in Canada, averaging 9 million viewers and helping Inquest's ratings bloom well enough to catch the eyes of American networks. Due to the shows' similarities, Da Vinci's Inquest will partner with CSI reruns and will be shown in two episode sets each weekend. It is expected to reach 70% of American households.

Da Vinci's Inquest revolves around Dominic Da Vinci, a former Vancouver cop turned coroner who works closely with cops and detectives to solve unnatural, accidental, or suspicious deaths. The show stars Nicholas Campbell, who has received the Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for his work on the series and has guest-starred in American shows such as Monk and T.J. Hooker. Critically acclaimed as the best television series in Canada and winning the Gemini Award for best television series 6 years in a row, Da Vinci's Inquest is currently in its 7th season.

The show is expected to reach the US this fall, with deals already secured in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, Miami, and Minneapolis. Colbert will also pitch the show to cable networks Spike, USA, TNT, and A&E once full clearance of the show's syndication has been secured.

To read the original article, head over to Variety. For more information on the show, visit Da Vinci's Inquest.com

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