The BBC has bought the exclusive UK TV rights to the new, highly anticipated Fox comedy American Dad.

It has also acquired exclusive UK TV rights to the Emmy™ Award winning comedies Arrested Development (season two) and Family Guy (season four) from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.

Satirical animation American Dad follows typical US dad Stan Smith and his unique family as they strive to cope in a world that seems increasingly stressful.

Stan works for the CIA and will go to extreme lengths to protect both his family (including Roger, the space alien that Stan rescued from Area 51, and Klaus, a lascivious, German-speaking goldfish) and beloved America from harm.

American Dad is the brainchild of Seth MacFarlane, also creator and executive producer of subversive animation Family Guy, a story of the everyday trials and tribulations of family life in the Griffin Household.

The fourth season, to be shown exclusively on the BBC, also features special guest voice appearances by Drew Barrymore, Keifer Sutherland and Adam West.

Arrested Development season two, critically acclaimed in the US and the UK for its premiere season (currently airing on BBC TWO and BBC FOUR), revisits the dysfunctional Bluth family for more smart, funny and unique comedy presided over by narrator Ron Howard.

Revolving around Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) and his attempts to save his family from ruin after his father (Jeffrey Tambor) is sent to prison, the series has featured special guest appearances from Liza Minnelli, Henry Winkler and Heather Graham.

Sue Deeks, Head of Series, BBC Programme Acquisition, said: "These three comedies have very distinctive takes on family life but they are all equally funny. We are delighted to be bringing them to BBC Television."

Steven Cornish, SVP-Managing Director for Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, commented: "We've had tremendous success with our programmes on the BBC and we are delighted to have these three very creative and innovative series with them to continue that success."

The BBC plans to transmit all three series in 2005/6.

Notes to Editors

Arrested Development season two will air in the US in November 2004.

Family Guy season four will transmit in the US in July 2005.

American Dad will transmit in the US in February 2005.