Fremantle closes deals with major Asian broadcasters for documentaries and dramas

The centerpiece is a collection of series led by BAFTA award-winning naturalist Steve Backshall's "Shark with Steve Backshal" and the love story "Alice & Jack."

27 FEB 2024

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Fremantle closed its latest raft of deals across Asia for a selection of docu and drama series. The powerhouse closed key sales deals across Asia's big pan-regional and territory broadcasters. The centerpiece is a collection of series led by BAFTA award-winning naturalist Steve Backshall, "Shark with Steve Backshall," dedicated to the world's biggest and most misunderstood predators, will broadcast on Bilibili in China, PCCW's Now TV in Hong Kong, KBS in South Korea and Mediacorp in Singapore. 

Marine fauna, reptiles, and amphibians are also part of the offering. On one hand, "Whale with Steve Backshall," a pioneering documentary series shedding new light on whales, has found a home in Bilibili in China and pan-regionally with BBC Earth. Additionally, "Croc Watch with Steve Backshall" and "Hippo Watch with Steve Backshall" will premiere regionally on BBC Earth. Malaysia's RTM (through Nafalia Corporation) has also joined the ranks of broadcasters airing Steve's earlier "Expedition with Steve Backshal"' in Asia, alongside BBC, Discovery, RTHK, Mediacorp, and Thai PBS.

Beyond the nature genre, the "The Decades" collection, spanning six seasons of content and executive produced by Emmy Award-winners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, is making its way to PCCW's Now TV for audiences in Hong Kong. Produced by Playtone and CNN and originally broadcast as a CNN USA Original, the series examines our recent history through insights from people at the heart of history – featuring compelling interviews with actors, musicians, journalists, and eyewitnesses to the most important events of each decade.

Asian audiences will experience the timeless love story "Alice & Jack", which brings back "Mad Men" screenwriter Victor Levin, Oscar nominee Andrea Riseborough and Star Wars's Domhnall Gleeson for a tale that explores perseverance, passion, and the true sense of partnership throughout a profound sixteen year relationship. The series will be available on the BBC across Asia and Bilibili for Greater China.

Kit Yow, VP of Distribution Asia, International at Fremantle, detailed: "2024 has kicked off with an exciting momentum and broadcaster demand for Fremantle's distribution business in Asia, with many of our incredible shows being picked up by both new and longstanding partners in the territory. We are delighted to announce these deals, which provide Asian viewers the opportunity to experience a breadth of high-end international content that continues to entertain audiences around the globe. We can't wait to launch these incredible series with our local partners and offer a slate of new content to clients later in 2024," noted.