During the Sunny Side of the Doc Festival, BBC Studios and France Télévisions announced that they have agreed a new long-term strategic partnership to develop and co-produce world-class factual content. The multi-year agreement commenced in April 2024 and includes a co-production first look across BBC Studios unscripted content pipeline.
This is a natural step following their successful collaboration co-producing factual shows across all genres in recent years, including the BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s award-winning "Frozen Planet II", "Planet Earth III" and most recently "Mammals."
Chris Kinsman, Senior Vice President, Factual, EMEA, BBC Studios said, “BBC Studios produces the most commanding and captivating factual content worldwide and our partners clearly agree as our content has never been more in demand. This fantastic partnership with France Télévisions will not only strengthen the output we are able to deliver to audiences in France, the UK and beyond, but upcoming titles like 'Mammals' and 'Walking With Dinosaurs' are only made possible with collaborations like this.”
NEW CONTENT
Upcoming titles already confirmed to be co-produced under the new agreement include the recently announced BBC Studios Science Unit series, "Walking With Dinosaurs", an exciting reimagining of one of the BBC’s best loved factual shows, taking viewers on a unique journey back through time, revealing the incredible life stories of these long-lost giants.
The new agreement also includes first option on pre-sales and acquisitions across BBC Studios’ extensive factual catalogue. Pre-sales already confirmed include two BBC Studios Science Units titles, "Solar System" which explores the amazing events unfolding in the planets and moons of the Solar System; and "Earth," a landmark series telling the astonishing four-billion year story of the place we call home.
Antonio Grigolini, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions, said “France Télévisions is proud to share common public service values with BBC Studios. We look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership and joining forces to produce among the most ambitious and impactful factual content on the market.”