Beta and ZDF's “The Swarm” makes its way to the UK

The event thriller was acquired by SKY UK and is set to be broadcast on SKY Max later this year. Negotiations with an US-partner are in the final stages. Movistar+ Plus also acquired the show for Spain. Beta Film and ZDFStudios are handling world sales.

17 APR 2023

Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Linkedin
  • Whatsapp

ZDF Studios and Beta confirmed "The Swarm"'s premier in the UK and abroad following its success Berlinale, Series Mania, and at its premieres in Germany and Austria. The event thriller was acquired by SKY UK and is set to be broadcast on SKY Max later this year. Negotiations with an US-partner are in the final stages. Movistar+ Plus also acquired the show for Spain.

The eight-hour series is produced by Schwarm TV Productions GmbH & Co KG, a joint venture between Intaglio Films and ndF IP for ZDF, France Télévisions, Rai Fiction, Viaplay Group, Hulu Japan, ORF, SRF, in co-production with Bravado Fiction and Beside Production, in co-operation with ATHOS KG. Produced by multiple Primetime Emmy award winner and "Game of Thrones"-Executive Producer Frank Doelger and ndF IP’s Managing Director Eric Welbers, "The Swarm" has been successful in Europe. The series is based on Frank Schätzing’s international bestseller, published around the globe and translated into 27 languages. 

The eco-thriller scored high ratings in Germany on ZDF and Austria’s ORF. In Germany, "The Swarm" gained up to ten million views per episode (linear and catch-up), multiple prime time wins and big successes within the younger target group (14-49 y/o). Throughout the year, the series will continue its international roll-out and will be available on Hulu Japan, on Viaplay Group in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, on Italy’s RAI, France Televisions and on Swiss’ SRF. Beta Film and ZDFStudios are handling world sales. 

Starring Alexander Karim, Cécile de France, Leonie Benesch, Barbara Sukowa, and Takuya Kimura, "The Swarm" chronicles the struggle of humankind against an unknown enemy that lives in the depths of the sea: When the reckless treatment of the oceans threatens the natural habitat of this mysterious collective, it strikes back. The title has garnered 10 million views/eps in Germany.