ORF-Enterprise Sells Programming Around the World

CANNES/VIENNA: ORF-Enterprise has placed a number of its titles with broadcasters in the U.S., Europe and the Asia Pacific.

A pilot script for the crime series Fast Forward has been ordered by CBS in the U.S. This marks the first time that an Austrian TV format is headed to America. Lonely Hearts Club was optioned in Finland and France, while Eyeworks has inked a deal to distribute the global rights for The Lottery Kings, a scripted format.

A selection of titles from UNIVERSUM, ORF's nature and wildlife strand, were taken by broadcasters globally. Sales include The Empress and the Forest to France's ARTE, Switzerland's RTS, Germany's BR, Ireland's RTE and Thailand's TBS. The Return of the Hoopoe was snapped up by SBS in Australia, EBS in Korea and TPBS in Thailand. Meanwhile, Spain's TVE and Thailand's TPBS opted for Schladming—Magic Mountains.

In Iran, IRIB took more than 50 hours of documentary programming. Additionally, over 60 hours for VOD will be made available on Xbox in German-speaking territories.

Marion Camus-Oberdorfer, the head of Content Sales International at ORF-Enterprise, commented: "MIPCOM is a very important marketplace for ORF: this time we could again convince all our clients with a thrilling new portfolio. For the first time we could fix a deal with Discovery Channel CEE/MENA: the exceptional documentary Sarajevo—The Assassination will air in these territories."