ZDF takes Titanic to Europe

Germany-based producer-distributor ZDF Enterprises has sold a documentary on the sinking of the Titanic and picked up distribution rights to the Julian Fellowes drama series on the disaster.

The centenary of the Titanic disaster is on April 14 this year and broadcasters around the world are working on content for the anniversary.

Saving the Titanic (1×90′ or 2×50′) is a documentary focusing on the engineers below decks who fought to save the ship after it struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.

The programme cost €1.5m (US$1.9m) to make and uses CGI to piece together a reconstruction of events from eye witness accounts.

ZDF has already sold the programme to Viasat in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia and Servus TV in Austria. It says negotiations are underway with a “renowned US broadcaster.”

ZDF has also picked up the distribution rights in German-speaking territories and Central and Eastern Europe for a drama miniseries on the disaster from Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park). The 2×90′ or 4×65′ series is being produced by Lookout Point and Sienna Films for ITV in the UK and already has major broadcasters from around the world on board including ABC in the US, TF1 in France, Seven in Australia and SVT in Sweden. The remaining distribution rights are held by ITV Global Entertainment.