Australian, European broadcasters acquire Channel 5 docuseries WWII: The End

WWII: The End will launch to coincide with the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Broadcasters in Australia, France, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Scandinavia have pre-bought Paramount-owned Channel 5’s forthcoming documentary series WWII: The End.

The 2×60′ show has been pre-bought by SBS in Australia, TF1 Group-owned Histoire TV in France, Hearst Networks Germany and Viasat World for CEE and Scandinavia.

Produced by London-based 3DD Productions (D-Day: A Soldier’s Story), WWII: The End is written and presented by author Giles Milton and directed by Lyndy Saville. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day this May, the docuseries features first-hand accounts of the end of the Second World War.

A copro deal struck between 3DD, UK broadcaster Channel 5 and Syndicado in the US will see the series air on C5’s digital network 5Select in the UK, while Syndicado will handle US sales.

Patricia Hickey, head of sales and coproduction at 3DD, said: “We’re grateful to have the trust of all of our coproduction and regular pre-sales partners who have come to expect great things from 3DD in the history space.”

Damian O’Hara, Channel 5 senior acquisitions manager, added: “Following on from D-Day: The Soldiers’ Story last year, it’s fantastic to work again with 3DD to bring a new, epic documentary covering the final days of World War II to our audiences.

“In this 80th anniversary year, these stories are more powerful and vital to revisit than ever and bring new insights and lived experience to this period of history.”