BBC Studios, France Télévisions sign long-term factual content partnership

Mammals was only made possible through collaboration

SUNNYSIDE: BBC Studios (BBCS) in the UK and French pubcaster France Télévisions have agreed a long-term partnership to develop and coproduce factual content.

Announced at Sunnyside of the Doc in La Rochelle today, the multi-year agreement commenced in April and includes a coproduction first-look across BBCS’s unscripted content pipeline.

The two broadcasters described the move as “a natural step” following their previous coproductions in recent years including the BBCS Natural History Unit’s Frozen Planet II, Planet Earth III and most recently Mammals.

Upcoming series to be coproduced under the agreement include BBCS Science Unit’s reimagining of the BBC’s 25-year-old series Walking With Dinosaurs, which also has Germany’s ZDF attached as a copro partner. The new 6×60’ series is slated to premiere in 2025.

The agreement also includes first option on presales and acquisitions across BBCS’s factual catalogue. Presales already confirmed include BBCS Science Unit’s Solar System (5×60’), which explores events unfolding in the planets and moons of the solar system, and Earth (5×60’), which tells the four-billion-year story of planet Earth and also has US-based PBS as a coproducer.

“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,” said Chris Kinsman, senior VP of factual, EMEA, at BBCS.

Antonio Grigolini, head of documentaries at France Télévisions, added: “We are 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.”