LaEffe acquires works of Arte

MIPTV: Franco-German cultural broadcaster Arte has supplied a package of programmes to Italian DTT channel LaEffe as part of an ongoing first-look agreement.

The content includes character-driven documentary series World Medicine (26×26’), In Search of Secret Splendours (20×26’) and Wind Quest (12×52’).

“These are destined for our daily daytime and access primetime lifestyle-discovery and pop-culture strands,” said Riccardo Chiatelli, head of content and communication at LaEffe. “We are looking especially for character-driven and human interest stories.”

LaEffe, which launched in May 2013, last year acquired 100 hours of programming from Arte. These included series 360° Geo Reports, Photo and Design, plus one-off docs Edward Hopper and The Black Canvas, Vivienne Westwood: Do It Yourself and Bardot The Misunderstood.

“We were in need for many hours, as we launched from scratch.” explained Chiatelli.

A subsidiary of publishing group Feltrinelli, LaEffe is positioned as a cultural entertainment channel, running 80% factual fare, mainly supplied by Arte and the BBC.

The channel also has two movie and two series strands in the evening. For the latter, it last year acquired Arte series Xanadu and Churchmen, plus Nordic drama such as Borgen.