A+E Networks Execs Tout Premium Factual Slate

In a MIPDoc session hosted by Patrick Vien, A+E Networks’ executive co-managing director of international, A&E’s Elaine Frontain Bryant and History’s Mary Donahue outlined their programming remits, highlighting The Clinton Affair and Jesus: His Life, respectively.

“Premium factual for the family of A+E Networks is deeply ingrained in our DNA,” Vien said. “It has been part of a production mandate for as long as we’ve been in existence. Not just megadocs, but also docudramas, award-winning feature documentary films and groundbreaking factual series, all of which have successfully ignited conversations in the U.S. but also on an international level.”

Frontain Bryant is the executive VP and head of programming at A&E Network. She spotlighted The Clinton Affair, a key highlight for A+E Networks’ international sales team this MIPTV. “A&E is trying to stay a culturally relevant brand and a globally relevant brand,” said Frontain Bryant on how the six-parter from Alex Gibney and Blair Foster fits into the channel’s programming remit.

Monica Lewinsky’s participation was key to the series, Frontain Bryant said. “Premium for us is access; premium is an indulgence in how you tell a story the right way. Having her and her parents, who have never spoken before, and Kenneth Starr, was very important.”

She went on to note that A&E wants to be in the “cultural conversation. We definitely want to be a watercooler brand.”

Donahue, senior VP of development and programming at History, talked about the recent megadoc event series Jesus: His Life from Jane Root’s Nutopia, which features both expert commentary and high-end scripted reenactments. “History has really led the way in hybrid storytelling,” Donahue said. “The production values in this documentary are extraordinary. We filmed it in Morocco with a cast and crew of 550 people. The actors were mostly British stage and television and film actors. We used premium directors. [We demanded] historical accuracy from every level.”

History does three to four premium docs a year, Donahue said, and the approach taken to Jesus: His Life could be used for other extraordinary historical figures. On what else the channel is seeking out, Donahue said, “We always look for ideas that haven’t been told before, with the best production values we can bring to them. We want to surprise our viewers. We view ourselves always as looking to tell stories that are smart and heartfelt.”

Richard Tulk-Hart, managing director of international content sales and co-productions at A+E Networks, highlighted the MIPTV launch of Spy Wars, hosted by Damian Lewis and made in partnership with History U.K. He also discussed the company’s new co-pro initiative, where it can board projects that weren’t commissioned by channels within the group and sell them worldwide.