RTÉ adds docs to sales slate

Documentary Let the Rest of the World Go By

RTÉ Programme Sales, the distribution arm of Irish pubcaster RTÉ, has added two premium documentaries to its slate.

The first doc, Let the Rest of the World Go By (1×60’), tells the story of an elderly man in failing health who marries his male best friend in order to leave his house to him inheritance tax-free.

The news caused a sensation in Ireland, with some criticising the pair for debasing the sanctity of marriage and others applauding the kindness and love at the heart of the decision.

Let the Rest of the World Go By originally aired on RTÉ earlier this year and has since been picked up by broadcaster UR in Sweden and by Spafax for Irish national airline Aer Lingus.

The second doc, The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine, (2×60’ or 1×90’), mines new research to tell the definitive story of the worst humanitarian disaster in Irish history.

Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, the documentary is produced by Tyrone Productions and Create One in association with University College Cork, RTÉ and ARTE.

Elsewhere, ViacomCBS-owned UK broadcaster Channel 5 has acquired the first seven seasons of Coco Content’s home-design series Room to Improve from RTÉ Programme Sales, alongside a two-hour special.

Channel 5 picked up seasons eight to 12 in May, which it has been airing daily in a mid-morning slot.