CEE Broadcasters Snap Up DRG Factual Content

Several broadcasters across CEE have picked up factual content packages from DRG, including AMC Networks International Central Europe, which has taken more than 60 hours for its pan-regional footprint, including the four-parter A Royal Tour of the 20th Century.

The wide-ranging package also includes Meghan Markle: How to be Royal (1×60 min.), Titans of the 20th Century (6×60 min.), Jungle War (4×60 min.), North Korea: Voices from the Secret State (1×60 min.), Paul Hollywood’s City Bakes (13×30 min.) and Rachel Khoo: My Swedish Kitchen (8×30 min.). Viasat World also closed a deal for the region for two seasons of The Yorkshire Vet (16 hrs.) and Life on the Line Australia (6×30 min.).

In further deals from the region, Estonian TV has proved a fan of Martin Clunes, acquiring season nine of the hit drama Doc Martin, as well as the critically acclaimed miniseries Manhunt. Based on a true story, Manhunt sees Clunes taking the lead role of a detective tracking down a high-profile serial killer. For its factual acquisitions, Estonian TV has a food focus with Rachel Khoo: My Swedish Kitchen and Remarkable Places to Eat: The Insider’s Guide.

Media Vivantis Zrt in Hungary has picked up the motherhood dramedy Melk, along with both seasons of Black Widows, the award-winning, darkly humorous drama about three wives desperate to rid themselves of their husbands. Media Vivantis Zrt has also acquired Kate Middleton’s Wardrobe Secrets, exploring the Duchess of Cambridge’s clothing choices, and the landmark social-experiment series No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free?

Factual titles fronted by famous faces proved in demand in Croatia, with HRT acquiring David Jason’s Secret Service, Ardal’s Ireland, featuring comedian and Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, and Martin Clunes’ Islands of America.

In the Czech Republic, Prima TV has taken an unscripted package that includes the latest three seasons (32 hrs.) of The Yorkshire Vet, plus Baby Animals Around the World, Baby Animals in the Wild, and the history titles Blitzed: Nazis on Drugs and Dynasties: The Families that Changed the World.

Adam Barth, commercial director of DRG, which oversaw each of the deals, commented: “From popular British and foreign-language drama to modern history, wildlife and cookery titles, these new deals reflect the terrific breadth of the current DRG catalog, as well as the caliber of those producers such as Buffalo Pictures and WildBear Entertainment, with which we have enduring partnerships. I am delighted that we continue to meet the requirements of key broadcasters across Central and Eastern Europe and look forward to developing these relationships further over time.”