Rive Gauche Revs Up Its Factual Offer

Marine Ksadzhikyan, COO and executive VP of sales at Rive Gauche, talks to TV Real about the ongoing demand for titles from across the factual spectrum, the potential in the fast-expanding AVOD space and what the company has in store for the global market.

Across the many genres under the umbrella of factual programming, the aim is often to entertain with information—to bring people the facts in an unscripted and entertaining way. The unscripted element, amid the worst months of the coronavirus pandemic, increased broadcasters’ and streamers’ appetites for factual content. And despite the ongoing health crisis that much of the world has been coping with, viewers aren’t just eager to sit down for lighter fare to lift their spirits; the dark and twisty docuseries still have their audience as well.

“Covid-19 has only heightened the need [for factual content] because the pandemic impacted the scripted space more so than anything else,” says Marine Ksadzhikyan, COO and executive VP of sales at Rive Gauche. “Even though we’re hearing feel-good programming requests are on the rise, we are still generating quite a bit of sales with the crime genre.”

In terms of who is picking up the series, Ksadzhikyan sees growing potential in the fast-expanding AVOD space. “Streamers remain a big part of the factual business, but as they aspire to make all-rights deals, they do not play a big part in most distributors’ business,” notes Ksadzhikyan. “We are definitely feeling the growth of AVOD and excited about the possibilities of attaining new viewers for our vast library of programming through these new platforms.”

As Rive Gauche looks toward the near future of the industry, it will also keep a close eye on linear players and how they “continue to transform their businesses to the new realities of a streaming world,” says Ksadzhikyan, who is eager to have the chance to strengthen and grow Rive Gauche’s partnerships around the world. “We are hopeful an opportunity exists after two years without face-to-face meetings with our clients to progress our relationships in person again. Once we are able to travel and reconnect again, we believe the industry will be bustling.”

A top title on Rive Gauche’s current slate to present to clients is the Farpoint Films-produced Disaster Déjà Vu, which in each episode spotlights two cities and the devastating disasters that they have had to endure twice. Ksadzhikyan sees the series as one that’s particularly relevant in today’s world. “Covid really hit the world hard, and I think everyone feels like this is the first time a pandemic has ever happened, when in reality, many have occurred in history,” she points out. “Disaster Déjà Vu explores disasters that have hit certain areas not once but twice and sheds light on the fact that in some cases we never learned from our mistakes to be better prepared.”

Other titles the company is keen to put in focus include the eight-part crime series The Killer Truth, which tells the story of a single murder in each episode through the different perspectives of five people connected to the case. Survivors, a 90-minute documentary, follows everyday people who are grappling with opioid addiction and the many associated struggles, as well as the difficulties faced by their family and friends. “Survivors also tells the stories of those who broke free from the addiction,” says Ksadzhikyan.” As difficult of a subject as it is, it’s a film that shows it can happen to anyone, even someone you know, but there can be light at the end of the tunnel for some.”