BossaNova and Channel 4 to finance Spark's "Ottoman Empire By Train"

BossaNova Media and Channel 4 have confirmed plans to co-finance a deal for a brand-new premium history series produced by Spark Media, "Ottoman Empire By Train." “Whatever else is happening, the new world of financing unscripted is alive and very well and Ottoman Empire by Train is the proud follow up to a partnership that is delivering well for all," Paul Heaney, CEO of BossaNova, said. "Channel 4 as well as SBS Australia and SVT in Sweden reacted quickly to pre buy when the opportunity arose and the Spark Media team is delivering on time and to brief."

The new series continues the partnership brokered by Channel 4’s Senior Acquisitions Manager, Polly Scates. Paul Crompton serves as series director with Mostafa Minawi as series consultant. Head of production is Helen Morrell and the series is executive produced by Steve Havers for Spark Media and Paul Heaney for BossaNova Media. 

"Ottoman Empire by Train" has also been pre-bought by SBS Australia and SVT in Sweden. Filmed in an observational documentary style, presenter Professor Alice Roberts takes to the railways once more to learn about another great past empire, providing the viewer with fascinating bite-sized history, genuine travelogue experiences and a fun and entertaining way to learn about the past.

The first series in the strand is historical travelogue "Ancient Egypt by Train," which successfully aired on the channel last month. "When its predecessor 'Ancient Egypt by Train' came through one of our Development Days last year, we were pretty confident of its success and it’s really encouraging to see audiences agree,"

This 5-part series follows Alice in locations from Adana to Konya, Ankara to Istanbul where she meets a local expert who is either teaching, or writing about, the complex subject of the Ottomans. Alice takes the sleeper train covering over 1,600 miles from Asia to Europe as she makes her way up the Balkans from Sofia to Belgrade and Timisoara and eventually finishing at Budapest, the northern limit of the Ottoman Empire.“Alice relishes the chance to broaden her knowledge about these great empires from the past by talking to authentic local experts who are rooted in their communities," Steve Havers, MD of Spark Media said. "Alice does, of course, show these local experts great respect -but her scientific background means that she’s always pressing them for evidence and challenging traditional thought. Alice and the team can’t wait to see what adventures the train will take them on next.”