Broadcasters Tune Into Rock Doc ‘Billy Idol Should Be Dead’

EXCLUSIVE: Rock doc Billy Idol Should Be Dead has found new homes in Europe and beyond. It has already gone out on Sky in the UK and Hulu in the U.S. and has now been picked up by broadcasters in Europe and Australia after Fremantle scored new deals for the all-access feature documentary.

Scandi public broadcasters SVT (Sweden) and NRK (Norway) have acquired the film, as has VRT in Belgium and YLE in Finland. AMC has taken rights for Spain and Portugal and Cosmote TV has acquired it for Greece. RTV has snagged it for Slovenia.

Outside of Europe, Australia’s SBS has bought the doc, which is directed by Jonas Åkerlund. Malibu Corp. has snagged theatrical rights for Japan.

Billy Idol said: “It’s pretty amazing to see this documentary making its way around the world. From London to Tokyo and in between, audiences have been brilliant. I’m just hoping they have as much fun watching the film as I had living it.”

The film tracks the Rebel Yell singer’s wild career. It blends unseen archive with revealing interviews to chart the star’s journey from London’s punk underground to MTV superstardom.

Idol and his bandmates all take part and other contributors include Miley Cyrus, Nile Rodgers, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, The Who’s Pete Townshend and Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
 
Later this year Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and he is one of rock’s most enduring figures. The doc about his life was the No.1 show on Sky Arts when it bowed in March. On Hulu in the U.S. it was the third most-watched show on the day of launch.

The rock star attended Fremantle’s London Screenings showcase for the international launch of the doc in Feb. “It’s fantastic to see such strong international appetite for this film, and we believe its raw honesty, emotional depth and electrifying energy will resonate widely,” said Kyle Harris, VP of Acquisitions at Fremantle. “It’s a testament to an artist who continues to defy expectations – a film made possible by the remarkable access and Billy’s willingness to share his story with such openness.”