Three brings Britney doc to NZ

Framing Britney Spears debuted on Hulu and FX

Discovery-owned New Zealand broadcaster Three has acquired exclusive rights to a much-discussed feature documentary about pop star Britney Spears.

Framing Britney Spears (1×75′) launched on the network’s VoD service Three Now today, having been picked up for international distribution recently by Red Arrow Studios International.

The doc is directed by Samantha Stark and produced by the New York Times and New York prodco Left/Right, part of Red Arrow Studios.

The doc made its debut on streamer Hulu and US network FX, both of which are owned by Disney, earlier this month and has led to criticism of the media and figures including Justin Timberlake for their past treatment of Spears.

The show explores Spears’ career and investigates her complicated relationship with her father, who has power over the singer’s decisions following a court ruling.

The documentary is part of the New York Times Presents series, which comprises eight standalone documentaries driven by the US newspaper. Outside the US, the series is known as Red Arrow’s The Weekly: Special Edition.

Three changed ownership last year after US factual giant Discovery acquired struggling New Zealand media group MediaWorks’ free-to-air TV business.