NATPE Budapest Spotlight: A+E Networks

Among the factual highlights from A+E Networks at NATPE Budapest is the long-running reality series American Pickers.

“We know that transactional, character-led franchises work really well internationally,” says Robyn Hurd, the company’s VP of content sales for EMEA. “American Pickers wasn’t commissioned as a family show, but it works well cross-generationally. The episodes are closed-ended, so it repeats incredibly well in the schedule.” Also on offer from A+E is the new scripted launch Knightfall, which follows the adventures of the Knights Templar. The show is executive produced by Jeremy Renner and stars Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey). “It’s a European story, so we feel it will resonate well with the CEE audience,” says Hurd. “It’s shot in Europe, it’s a European cast [and] it’s got fantastic amounts of action.”

In addition, the company is showcasing its catalog of television movies, including Cocaine Godmother, which stars Catherine Zeta-Jones; Menendez: Blood Brothers, featuring Courtney Love; Beaches, a remake of the classic film; and Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, about the late King of Pop. “Our TV movies perform really well, not only in the U.S. but in the U.K., France and Spain,” says Hurd. “And they are affordable; they’re more affordable than features and they perform just as well.”