David Fury

LONDON — Channel 4 has outbid rival broadcaster Five for exclusive U.K. rights to two of the hottest shows at this year’s L.A. Screenings, Buena Vista Intl. Television’s edgy drama "Desperate Housewives" and thriller "Lost."

The duo will air in primetime on C4 and its digital, youth-skewed niche net E4 and help fill the gaps in its schedules left by the demise of "Friends," "Frasier" and "Sex and the City."

Deal was inked between C4 acquisitions maven June Dromgoole and BVITV senior VP and managing director Tom Toumazis. The agreement was concluded for BVITV by Haydn Arndt, sales director, U.K. and Ireland. No figures were announced.

Both series, in production, will premiere in the U.S. on ABC this fall. C4 and E4 will broadcast both next year.