David Hasselhoff Starring in CBS Studios’ Ze Network

CBS Studios has entered a first-look international television agreement with Syrreal Entertainment and given a straight-to-series order for the dark comedy Ze Network, starring David Hasselhoff.

Ze Network, which was created by Syrreal’s Christian Alvart, is the fictional story of Hollywood actor David Hasselhoff’s new lead role in a theatre play in Germany that plunges him into the center of an international conspiracy of former cold war assassins, while the fabric of reality seems to break down around him. CBS Studios has picked up the series for TVNOW, Mediengruppe RTL’s SVOD platform in Germany.

German actor Henry Hübchen also stars as a version of himself in Ze Network. Alvart is directing the series and producing alongside Syrreal’s Sigi Kamml and Timm Oberwelland.

Under the new pact, Syrreal and CBS Studios will focus on sourcing, acquiring and developing premium scripted content for the international market that is creatively anchored in Germany. CBS Studios has remake and other derivative rights for the series, and ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group will handle the distribution outside of German-speaking territories.

Syrreal CEO Kamml said: “Today, with all this wonderful entertainment, it becomes harder than ever to keep things interesting, so we will try to surprise people with this show. Ze Network is a series with an outstanding cast and a very unusual story. I am delighted that TVNOW and CBS Studios see the potential of this project.”

Alvart added: “I’m thrilled to find myself working with partners who are ready to bring a wild, surprising and unique concept just as this into the entertainment world. I can’t wait to share with audiences the crazy ride Mr. Hasselhoff will be bravely taking on with Ze Germans.”

Hasselhoff said: “Knight Rider was incredibly successful for both me and RTL. Returning now 30 years later to do a cutting-edge series and working with RTL again is a dream come true. The series is funny, deadly, creative and informative…..simply exciting. Fact or fiction, you decide.”

Meghan Lyvers, senior VP of international co-productions and development at CBS Studios, said: “Syrreal Entertainment is a known home for character-driven, provocative storytelling, and we are so pleased to be partnering with Christian, Sigi and their team as they create new series for the global audience. Ze Network promises to be an entertaining, genre-bending series, which is tailor-made for David Hasselhoff to star. In a time where audiences crave escapism and fun, we are thrilled to support this series with our partners at Syrreal and TVNOW.”