Keshet International finalizes deals for first Greenlight: Factual & Format Commissions

Keshet International, the global content producer and distributor, has completed a raft of sales for the first two unscripted docuseries greenlit by its burgeoning commissioning initiative, "Greenlight: Factual & Formats." Let's go over each of the agreements.

The global content producer and distributor has finalized three licensing deals that will see Perpetual Entertainment’s "Hitler’s Treasure Hunters" (6x60’) broadcast in more than 60 territories. The first deal, a pan-regional agreement with Hearst Networks EMEA, will bring the six-part docuseries to audiences in Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and sub-Saharan Africa. The second deal sees Warner Bros. Discovery acquiring rights for Spain and Andorra, while the third secures a free TV second window for Polsat in Poland. Talks are ongoing with additional broadcast partners.

Greenlit by KI’s MD of Distribution, Kelly Wright, last year at the London TV Screenings to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Hitler’s death and the end of World War II, "Hitler’s Treasure Hunters" explores the many treasures and religious relics sought by the Nazi SS—including the Holy Grail and Thor’s hammer—in their quest to win the war and prove Aryan supremacy. KI introduced this historical docuseries to the market at MIPCOM 2024.

Additionally, KI has sold its first fully funded commission, Woodcut Media’s gripping true crime docuseries "Catch Me If You Can" (10x60’), to TVNZ in New Zealand as part of a multi-title deal. This package also includes Double Act’s recently acquired "SAS: Catching the Criminals" (10x60’, format and tape), alongside the first five seasons of Crackit Productions’ "Trucking Hell" (S1: 10x60’, S2: 20x60’, S3: 20x60’, S4: 12x60’, S5: 20x60’) and all three seasons of Hello Halo Productions’ "River Hunters" (S1: 8x60’, S2: 6x60, S3: 4x60’).

"Catch Me If You Can" is a true crime docuseries that delves into the chilling world of murderers who evade capture while taunting their victims’ families and law enforcers until they are finally brought to justice. Meanwhile, Double Act’s "SAS: Catching the Criminals" is a BBC One crime enforcement docuseries featuring ex-SAS leader Billy Billingham working alongside national and local council enforcement agencies to deploy covert intelligence, surveillance, and disruption tactics against Britain’s offenders.

KI’s Kelly Wright celebrated the initiative: "Our 'Greenlight: Factual & Formats' commissioning initiative is a collaborative response to the market needs. For us, it’s a different way of getting fresh, new content on TV screens around the world while also supporting TV producers during a difficult time. It is so rewarding to see ideas that started off as just a pitch to us and a roomful of buyers now fully produced TV series that we are successfully selling on the open market;" commented.

In addition to entering a three-phase development deal with The Connected Set for its AI-powered dating format "Too Good To Be True," KI has recently signed four shopping agreements for shows pitched during its "Greenlight: Factual & Format Producer Pitch" events. These include two agreements with Woodcut Media for the returnable true crime docuseries "Hotel Horrors" (10x60’) and "Captive Calls" (10x60’); one with Flicker Productions for "Million Dollar Alien Hunters"; another with Hello Mary for "Subterranean Secrets"; and a final agreement with Yeti Television for its Hugh Bonneville-fronted docuseries "Secret Royal Homes." KI’s sales team is currently onboarding pre-sales partners, with further announcements expected soon.

Last December in London, KI hosted its third "Greenlight: Factual & Format Producer Pitch" event, where 30 projects were live-pitched by 18 different producers from the UK, the US, France, Spain, Latin America, and Australia to buyers both in person and via livestream. The global content producer and distributor plans to announce further shopping agreements and another greenlit production in the coming weeks.

At this year’s London TV Screenings, KI will be launching and screening two new factual series it boarded early and co-developed with their respective production companies—SandStone Global’s "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" (3x60’) featuring Professor Bettany Hughes, and Roundtable Media & Bungalow Media+ Entertainment’s "Dinner with Gavin Rossdale," which brings celebrities—including Serena Williams, Common, actresses Selma Blair and Brooke Shields, iconic singer Sir Tom Jones, and comedian Jack McBrayer—into Rossdale's home for intimate cooking sessions, candid conversations, and, of course, music.