WildBear Entertainment has launched a new distribution division, WildBear International. “Financing production is an increasingly complex and timely business, often with many moving parts,” Michael Tear, WildBear Entertainment’s CEO said. “By establishing WildBear International we are providing another route for both funding and finding international viewers for our content and see this development in a similar light to adding a new distribution partner to our roster."
The new venture will be led by Tear alongside a start-up sales team based in Europe comprising Edwina Thring and Margaret Yoshida of Wild Thring Media, WildBear’s long-term co-production and pre-sales finance partner. The launch allowed the company to secure a number of high-profile deals for some if its lead launch titles. “This is an exciting time for WildBear as it continues to grow its output, reputation, and international footprint, but our focus will always remain on having the best possible distribution partner for each title we produce,” Tear said.
In recent years, WildBear Entertainment has produced more than 150 hours of factual programming per annum and has reached out to several distribution businesses to place its content with international broadcasters and platforms. These include Passion Distribution, Off the Fence, ABC Commercial, ZDF Enterprises and PBS International. This situation is projected to continue as such in the foreseeable future, with the company keen to continue maximising its IP by placing each title with the best-fit distribution partner, including its own, on a case-by-case basis.
"World’s Most Toxic Animals" has been acquired by Sky Nature in the UK, Sky Italia, Viasat in Europe, Discovery Asia, and RTP in Portugal. NTV in Germany pre-bought the series, while All three seasons of "Demolition Down Under," were commissioned by Discovery Australia WildBear Entertainment, one of Australian’s leading producers of factual programming.
Correlating with the dates for this year's Mipcom event, the company's launch slate is led by three history series, "Rise and Fall: The Turning Points of WW2," "The World War" and "Bomber Terror of WW2," two natural history titles, "World’s Most Toxic Animals" and "Under the Sea," as well as "Demolition Down Under" and the all new series "World’s Most Toxic Animals," which was acquired by Sky Nature in the UK, Sky Italia, Viasat in Europe, Discovery Asia, and RTP in Portugal. NTV in Germany pre-bought the series. “Financing production is an increasingly complex and timely business, often with many moving parts,” Michael Tear, WildBear Entertainment’s CEO said. “By establishing WildBear International we are providing another route for both funding and finding international viewers for our content and see this development in a similar light to adding a new distribution partner to our roster."