France Télévisions Signs German Deal

PARIS: France Télévisions Distribution has sold the TV rights to the six-part documentary series Apocalypse: The Second World War to NDR Television in Germany to be aired in prime time on ARD1 and ARD3 in 2010.

Apocalypse: The Second World War provides a full account of the war, sharing stories from across nations to give a global perspective. The project, budgeted at 4 million euros, chronicles the tragic destinies of soldiers, civilians and military and political leaders involved in a war that claimed the lives of more than 50 million people. Apocalypse uses archived footage to share these stories, and nearly half of the film features never-before-seen imagery.

"A true blockbuster is a title that always performs beyond expectations," said Nathalie Bobineau, the senior VP of international distribution for France Télévisions. "This is exactly what is happening with our series Apocalypse: The Second World War. In the U.S.A. we have received offers from cable and networks and we expect to close our sale by June 30." 

"We are thrilled with this deal with our partners from NDR, that opens up new opportunities for France Télévisions in Germany," added Eric Vernière, the company’s VP of international sales. "This must-have series is now practically sold everywhere in Europe, with deals in Italy, Scandinavia, Central Europe and Russia to be signed in DISCOP and Sunny Side this month."

"TV documentaries featuring WW2 have been in the focus of history programming throughout Germany for more than a decade now," said Alexander von Sallwitz , the commissioning editor for NDR Television. "Hard to believe that there are still aspects not yet encountered, pictures unseen before, moments with an unprecedented emotional impact. Apocalypse makes the viewers witness the outrage and the tragedy of this war of all wars in a technique that is unique on the TV screen."

"We are very proud of this broadcasting deal with NRD/ARD for Apocalypse, as it demonstrates that 70 years after the beginning of the conflict it is now possible to show the war with a new vision, both human and unbiased," commented Louis Vaudeville, the producer of the series at CC&C. "This is certainly the reason why all nations are now joining in to broadcast this landmark program: France, Germany, Japan…"