Top Stories

NEW YORK: Oxygen Media has appointed Shanon Smith, formerly of Twofour America, as VP of production and operations.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: National Geographic Channels has unveiled unprecedented plans to premiere Before the Flood commercial-free across digital and streaming platforms around the world, as part of the network’s continued commitment to covering climate change.

PARIS: About Premium Content (APC) has landed several new international broadcast deals for its factual programs Dream the Future and Freightened.

LONDON/LEICESTER: Sky Sports has commissioned Zig Zag Productions’ untitled documentary series featuring Leicester City and England footballer Jamie Vardy and his V9 Academy.

CANNES/LOS ANGELES: Participant Media has started production on its first unscripted series, America to Me, created by filmmaker Steve James and Kartemquin Films.

SAN FRANCISCO/SINGAPORE: Discovery Communications and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are working together to help conserve nearly 1 million acres of protected habitat in India and Bhutan to safeguard and increase the wild tiger population.

Andy Fry analyzes the demand for history documentaries and looks at innovations in the genre.

CANNES: Australian producer WildBear Entertainment has wrapped its landmark 4K series Borneo’s Secret Kingdom, which was supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and made use of the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI).

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has entered into a co-production agreement with Tencent for Planet Earth II, marking the first time the company is co-producing a documentary with a video platform in China.

LONDON: Scripps Networks Interactive has made two new original commissions for Travel Channel, with Olly Smith: Ale Trails and Take Me Home set to premiere in December across the U.K. and EMEA.