"See No Evil"
Heading into NATPE Budapest, Blue Ant Studios reports a surge in sales and demand for true crime and mystery content in CEE. Over 270 hours of premium series and documentaries from Blue Ant’s growing roster of crime-production partners have been acquired by CANAL+, CBS Reality, DOX TV, Public Institution Lithuanian Radio & Television (LRT), MRT, Delfi, Digi Romania (formerly RCS and RDS) and Viasat World.
“The crime and mystery genres are fueling a growing demand for series and documentaries, driven by captivating storytelling and compelling headlines. We've noticed a rising trend in interest for these stories in CEE,” said Kate Blank, VP, International Sales, Blue Ant Studios. “Our catalogue includes everything from limited series to long-running returnable franchises that explore real-life crimes, unsolved cases, strange phenomena, police procedurals and profiles of criminal masterminds, all catering to audiences’ growing desire for binge-able, compelling stories and characters."
CEE DEMAND
Croatia’s HRT; Czechia’s FTV Prima, Digi Romania and Lithuania’s Public Institution Lithuanian National Radio & Television (LRT) all licensed the long-running series, "Mysteries from Above" (30x60’; Saloon Media), which investigates historical and contemporary sites from above with drone, satellite and aerial photography for a unique perspective to reveal fascinating insights into these strange occurrences.
In Poland, CANAL+ picked up "Our Toughest Cases" (6x60’; Woodcut Media), which features officers as they relive the toughest cases they’ve faced and provide first-hand insight into cases that had seismic repercussions and shook entire communities to their core; "Night Stalker: Terror in A Small Town", (3x60' | 2x90' | 1x120'; Joined Up Films) is a shocking true crime documentary that explores the longest-running manhunt for a serial killer in Australian history; "Predator: Catching the Black Cab Rapist" (1x60'; October Films) explores the case of Britain’s most prolific serial rapist, John Worboys, who drugged, raped and assaulted over 100 victims in the back of his black cab.
North Macedonia’s MRT also licensed "Playboy Bunny Murder" alongside "Cracking The Code" (8x60'; Blink Films), which uncovers some of the world’s most famous – and infamous – encryptions. "The Real Spies Among Friends" (1x60'; Wingspan Productions) is the real story behind hit drama series "A Spy Among Friends". This documentary on Kim Philby, and his fellow Cambridge traitors, reveals the worst spy ring in history.
In Lithuania, Delfi picked up "Cops on the Rocks" (10x60'; Rare TV), which shows the extraordinary work of Gibraltar’s police and customs forces as they fight against international smugglers and drug dealers.; and "Women on the Force" (16x60’; Flint TV & Lambent Productions) captures the frontline women officers on the West Yorkshire Police force and the demands the job can place on their lives – both on duty and at home.