Biting into Orange Smarty

Orange Smarty prides itself on standing out. Its strapline “Different from the Rest” trumpets the meaning behind the company’s name: Smarties are a popular sugar-coated chocolate candy in the U.K., and they come in eight colors, all of which have the same taste—save for the orange one, which is appropriately orange flavored. And the factual distributor’s taste is as unique as the candy’s. “Buyers are looking for content that is different; they want something fresh, intriguing and stimulating—that is exactly what Orange Smarty offers,” says Amy Kemp, the company’s head of sales.

Looking forward at 2020, Orange Smarty is launching new titles across the factual space, with an eclectic mix of both one-offs and series from award-winning producers from around the globe. One such documentary is The Family Secret, in which viewers are introduced to Kath, a woman now in her 30s who was sexually abused throughout her childhood, beginning at the age of 7. It follows as Kath and her ***Image***mother confront her abuser, Rob, whose presence in the True Vision one-off confronts audiences with his own humanity and deep remorse. Another title from Orange Smarty to watch for in 2020 is Giving Life (Jaffle Media for Nine Network), which tells the inspiring stories of people who give and receive blood donations. The second season of the BBC’s first-ever vegan cooking show, Dirty Vegan, is back this year as well, with stuntman Mathew Pritchard (Dirty Sanchez) persisting in his mission to prove that a vegan diet can make you fitter, stronger and healthier—and using his unique recipes that he chefs up on the series to prove it.

Kemp is particularly excited for viewers to see Milk and Honey’s Bring Back the Bush: Where Did Our Pubic Hair Go?, which addresses the topical issue of female body positivity and the relationship that women have with their pubic hair. “This is a standout title that rated well on Channel 4 in the U.K. and attracted a lot of attention on social media—it’s a noisy title that jumps out of the EPG,” Kemp says. She’s similarly enthusiastic about Catching a Killer: A Diary From the Grave, which examines how a trainee vicar befriended an elderly man only to murder him later. “Despite a saturated market, crime is still sought after—however, the quality must remain high, and authenticity is key,” Kemp says. “Catching a Killer ticks those boxes and highlights the complexities and detail required in a major crime investigation from start to finish with unprecedented 360-degree access, while sensitively capturing the emotional impact on friends and family of the victim.”

Royals in Wartime, from ITN Productions for Channel 5, is another title that Kemp points to as a powerful and immersive Orange Smarty offering. The show feeds viewers’ strong appetite for programming involving the British royals, offering insight into the military involvement of the family over the years. “Using extraordinary archive, alongside expert and insider commentary, this compelling two-part documentary explores royals’ role in Britain’s wars, revealing their military exploits and examining their importance in boosting morale at home,” says Kemp.

When looking for additional titles to add to the company’s slate, Kemp says that they look for stories with global appeal and resonance, as well as titles that offer a “call to view” for broadcasters. It’s also important that the company sees a marketing opportunity in the show, one that allows it to stand out in a crowded space, offering something that is indeed “different from the rest.” “We’re looking for fresh, innovative programs that are accessible and authentic, encapsulating topics that will appeal to an international audience,” adds Kemp. “Content that offers quality, relevance and marketing!”

While representing over 1200 hours of content, Orange Smarty aims to give buyers highly personalized service that can fit them with exactly the titles that they—and their viewers—have that unique taste for. “We are a factual specialist and offer a select catalog of curated programming that doesn’t get swallowed up in a vast catalog,” says Kemp. “Therefore, we can give our programs the attention they deserve.”