Boat Rocker on Delivering Discovery-Themed Titles

Natalie Vinet, VP of global sales for unscripted at Boat Rocker Studios, talks to TV Real about the international appeal of factual titles with the theme of discovery.

Over the last couple of years, the proliferation of streaming platforms has appeared to be a development most beneficial for scripted and kids’ and family content, which were securing the bulk of acquisitions. But attention has broadened to include more nonfiction titles, according to Natalie Vinet, VP of global sales for unscripted at Boat Rocker Studios, who points to factual’s strong start in 2021.

“We are seeing growing opportunities to place unscripted content on OTT platforms from new SVOD services such as discovery+, along with an increasing number of other operators that are expanding into the space and with the growth of FAST channels,” says Vinet, who adds that Boat Rocker’s titles that are “loosely linked by a theme of discovery” are the ones that are performing best at present. “Whether that be uncovering and explaining mysteries, encountering new horizons and experiences or discovering new skills or angles for favorite pastimes,” says Vinet. “Limited crime series, sports docs, history programs that reveal unknown secrets, cooking and adventure are proving especially popular.”

“Discoveries and secrets revealed have an enduring fascination for viewers worldwide who also enjoy programs that result in rewards of some kind,” adds Vinet, speaking to the internationality of these titles. “Themes of adventure and diversity and global programs that take us to different parts of the world are always popular, but are really hitting the spot currently as travel is largely limited to virtual experiences.”

Among the more topical titles on Boat Rocker’s slate is the docuseries Covid America, produced by The Audio Drama Initiative, which explores how everyday Americans have dealt with the pandemic and how it has changed their lives. “Frustrated by endless political spin and short, unsatisfying sound bites on news programs, the Covid America team set out to capture the true stories of Americans, discovering strength and hope among the anguish and uncertainty,” says Vinet. “We feel it can inspire some optimism that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Also in Boat Rocker’s catalog is the Yap Films-produced My Trans Journey. The human interest title follows Dr. Carys Massarella and her patients as they tackle personal challenges and thrive in their transitions. With big gatherings attended by friends and family, they celebrate their true selves. From Shark Teeth Films, Secrets in the Ice, currently in production on its second season, uses CGI recreations, scanning technology and scientific research to investigate curiosities in the frozen depths.

“We are also excited about Chuck and the First Peoples’ Kitchen,produced by Trio Orange, which we are just launching,” says Vinet. “This series offers a thrilling mix of adventure, diversity and discovery, and chef Chuck Hughes is an amazing host to take viewers on this enthralling journey into the culinary traditions of our Indigenous communities.”

Looking ahead, Boat Rocker plans to take a lesson from the pandemic, which posed untold challenges for production, including the safety protocols and ever-changing restrictions. Covid-19 also made the business of distribution more difficult, with fewer titles available resulting in an even more competitive market than usual. “We realize we have to be smarter, and we are working more closely than ever with producers to really support them through the whole development process, from initial idea to financing,” says Vinet. “Going forward, collaboration will play an integral role in achieving greenlights.”

As aforementioned by Vinet, an upside of the last year has been the healthy appetites of TV audiences around the world for more content. “I think the pandemic and lockdowns have grown audiences in all areas of linear and nonlinear, and in turn, we have been able to place more titles,” says Vinet. “Platforms that were focusing on scripted have widened the genres and buckets offered to their viewers to include unscripted and factual content. With the response that we have seen, I think that this is here to stay.”