BossaNova Unveils Second Slate of Originals

BossaNova has revealed its second slate of original productions, consisting of five new and returning factual strands from U.K., Australian and Canadian indies.

With early-stage funding from BossaNova, the U.K.’s Phoenix Television produced Murder: First on Scene, examining the tireless work that crime experts undertake to bring the perpetrators of murder to justice. It is currently airing on CBS Reality in the U.K.

Also on BossaNova’s originals slate is Mysteries of the Ancient Dead, produced by Toronto-based Go Button Media in a new partnership with commissioning broadcaster Super Channel in Canada. Co-developed with BossaNova, the series draws on the latest science and technology to investigate ancient civilizations’ attitudes toward death. Daniel Oron, executive producer for Go Button Media, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with BossaNova on this exciting new look into ancient cultures’ exploration of death and the afterlife.”

From long-term collaborator Fredbird Entertainment, two seasons of Extreme Tow Truckers are part of BossaNova’s originals slate. The factual series looks at the men who inhabit the world of extreme tow trucking, where they are armed with monster machines and million-dollar hardware capable of hauling massive payloads. It was commissioned by Seven Australia’s 7mate, with Seven.One Entertainment Group and Viasat World attached as presale partners.

Hidden Histories of WW2, from U.K. producer Bright Button, reveals the little-known events and players who helped turn the tide in the war. The series is fronted by historian and broadcaster James Holland. It has been presold to Viasat World and TF1’s Histoire in France.

BossaNova is also launching Secrets of the Lost Liners, produced by U.K. production company Content Kings, charting the triumphs and tragedies of the 20th century’s popular mode of transport. Each episode tells the story of a ship lost through war, disaster or human error. Sky History in the U.K. and SBS in Australia have secured presales.

Paul Heaney, BossaNova’s CEO, said: “BossaNova was founded to ‘curate a slate’ of premium documentary and factual projects that tell important stories to global audiences; projects that are produced collaboratively, some limited run or at volume, but to the highest creative standards in both cases. This slate of BossaNova originals illustrates that distributor as a commissioning platform is in very rude health and can deliver, thanks to the creative and commercial backing of Night Train Media and our own network of relationships. And watch this space: there’s plenty more to come across an even broader base of genres.”