{"id":14679,"date":"2020-06-17T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev2.worldscreen.com\/tvreal\/worldscreen.com\/"},"modified":"2020-06-18T09:17:16","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T13:17:16","slug":"staying-informed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvreal\/staying-informed\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying Informed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Documentaries and specials focused on the coronavirus have been in high demand, exploring health-related aspects as well as human-interest stories.<\/em><\/p>\n

As the world has been gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic for the last few months, people are eagerly seeking information related to the virus and their health\u2014and TV has proven to be an excellent vehicle for this. Producers have rushed to deliver fast-turnaround factual programs that highlight not only health-related aspects of the global crisis but also the human stories of those on the frontlines and communities coming together.<\/p>\n

Initially, there was a surge in demand from all broadcasters and platforms for coronavirus-related content but this has leveled out to a certain extent, according to Cecilie Olsen, senior VP of global content for non-scripted at ITV Studios. \u201cThe need now seems to be more specific, with broadcasters interested in programs that allow viewers to gain a greater understanding of the pandemic,\u201d she says. \u201cThe coronavirus specials of Label1’s award-winning series Hospital<\/em> allow unprecedented access to those fighting it day in and day out. It\u2019s raw and emotional and provides a fascinating insight that viewers don\u2019t necessarily get with other programming. Likewise, Frontline Doctors: Fighting the Virus<\/em>, from Little Gem, takes a more scientific approach to the effects of the virus, but again offers both a professional and personal perspective from the frontline.\u201d<\/p>\n

With both of these documentaries, the production teams were allowed to shadow health professionals and film right at the heart of the centers working to save peoples\u2019 lives. \u201cFor me, what\u2019s particularly relevant is that not every territory is able to gain the kind of access that the U.K. can, so these shows give viewers a chance to see for themselves what it was and, of course, still is, like to be fighting it on a daily basis,\u201d Olsen adds.<\/p>\n

TVF International has seen \u201can overwhelming response\u201d to its coronavirus programming from public broadcasters worldwide, as well as some pay-TV and SVOD platforms. And again, access is key. \u201cOur five COVID-19-related documentaries are all quite different, but all of them provide unparalleled access,\u201d says Lindsey Ayotte, head of sales. \u201cThe world in many ways feels so small right now, and yet the nature of the crisis makes it impossible for many media companies to bring their audiences up close and personal with the reality of the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stronger: The Battle Against COVID-19<\/em> offers an in-depth study of how Singapore\u2019s swift and considered response can serve as a model for the rest of the world to follow, based on access to experts and government officials. What’s It Like to Catch Coronavirus<\/em> is entirely access-led; viewers are brought into the homes of those suffering from the virus and allowed to hear their stories firsthand, removed from the noise of third-party narratives and news jargon.<\/p>\n

ARTE France has been delivering about three ARTE Reports<\/em> programs every week, ranging from 12 minutes to 24 minutes and sometimes 44 minutes, with news-related subjects. This includes spotlights on the COVID-19 crisis in Africa, China, Taiwan, India, Europe and Brazil, examining how some nations are closing down and others returning to normal life.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are hooked right now on the news and looking to get information on what is happening abroad,\u201d says C\u00e9line Payot-Lehmann, ARTE\u2019s head of international sales. \u201cOur coronavirus-related content has been shown in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and Iraq.\u201d<\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cThe coronavirus crisis has had the contradictory effect of bringing people together, not physically of course, but people are living in similar lockdown, health, school and social situations throughout the world. People want to know how other governments are handling the situation, what choices and decisions are being made and how other societies are reacting to the crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Covid-19: The Ripple Effect<\/em> is aimed at viewers who want an in-depth and human look at how the virus is impacting the world, and it dives deeper than what most news segments show. \u201cBy understanding where we\u2019ve been, we can better plan for where we\u2019re going,\u201d says Liz Levenson, president of Cactus Tree Entertainment and executive producer of Covid-19: The Ripple Effect<\/em>. \u201cOur production team picked up on what was happening in China very early on and has been collecting stories and footage since January, providing much-needed context on this story on a global scale\u2014and the very human element of the story as well. While the news shows numbers and statistics, it\u2019s the human stories behind those numbers that remind us exactly what we\u2019re fighting, and how important we all are to one another. What\u2019s happened before can happen again, and we hope that by documenting these stories and their global impact, we can better prepare for what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olivia Cole, development manager of the Ruptly documentary collection, has noted a growing interest in the lives and circumstances of healthcare workers across the globe. \u201cClients and wider audiences respond well to important human-interest pieces, and now, perhaps for the first time, audiences are really getting a clear insight into the invaluable work of frontline workers worldwide,\u201d she says. \u201cFrom the confines of our homes, COVID-19 can feel like an intangible threat, so our content highlighting individual healthcare workers allows viewers an opportunity to really connect to others across the country and the world and gain a window on their experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

While coronavirus-specific content has certainly been in demand, health-related fare as a whole has been a consistently strong performer for many distributors of unscripted programming\u2014and this is certainly true in the current marketplace. \u201cWe’ve always noted a particular interest in health-related documentary programming from a surprising variety of buyers, but right now, there is definitely pronounced interest in any health programming that is practical, advice-based and accessible, particularly related to diet and fitness,\u201d says TVF International\u2019s Ayotte.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealth is a part of everyone\u2019s life, so the interest in health programming is always there,\u201d adds ITV Studios\u2019 Olsen. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that interest has necessarily increased, but it has certainly continued and remains consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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