Network buys shows from 'Deadliest,' 'Ice Road' producer

The producer of the surprise cable hit "Ice Road Truckers" is bringing its brand of reality TV to network TV.

NBC has bought a package deal of three original unscripted series from Original Productions, which produces docu-series like the History Channel's "Ice Road Truckers" and Discovery's "Deadliest Catch." The deal includes at least a 10-episode order for all three shows and a commitment to run at least two of the three shows in a prime-time programming block, according to news reports.

Networks occasionally hand out series commitments without seeing a pilot, but making a deal for three series, and agreeing to program them together, is something new. The deal also includes pilot orders for three future series from Original, which is run by Thom Beers, and BermanBraun, the production company run by former network chiefs Gail Berman (FOX) and Lloyd Braun (ABC).

"Ice Road Truckers" became an out-of-left-field hit for the History Channel earlier this year, regularly drawing more than 3 million viewers (the finale scored close to 5 million viewers). "Deadliest Catch" is also a strong draw for Discovery, ranking as the channel's highest-rated series in 2006.

Beers, who also created "Monster Garage" for Discovery, is currently working with NBC to settle on subjects for the three shows. All three are expected to be in the same vein as Beers' previous shows.