Japanese broadcaster NHK has acquired blue-chip nature series China’s Wild Secrets, coproduced by TVF International and Bilibili.
The 5×45’ series explores the country’s many wildlife havens for animals such as panda bears. NHK also acquired historical doc Nazi Space Race (1×50’) and Silent Soldiers: Russia’s Foreign Mercenaries (1×47’).
The deal was announced by London-based factual distributor TVF International, which also revealed further deals with global buyers.
Al Jazeera International has licensed ocean conservation series Rewilding Sharks (2×60’) and cyber kidnapping crime documentary The Digital Hostage (1×60’).
Pan-Asian network Phoenix Television has picked up Untold Arctic Wars: The Cold War (6×60’), Empires of Silver (3×60’) and Undercover Asia.
National Geographic India has bought a 20-hour content package including wildlife title Return from Extinction (3×60’), medical series Reaching the Unreached (1×60’), off-beat history series Weird Britain (12×60’), world affairs special Fact vs Fiction: Fake News in India (1×60’) and tough jobs series This Way Up: World’s Most Dangerous Highways (3×60’).
Also in India, Discovery has licensed Aerial India (1×60’), India on Film (2×60’) and Asia in the Great War: India’s Forgotten Army (1×60’).
Singapore’s Mediacorp TV has acquired Vietnam from Above (1×60’), 100 episodes of short-form aerial series, Little Big World, and travel series Alleys: Off the Beaten Track (14 x 49).
Finally, pay TV channel Now TV in Hong Kong and Macau has selected history programme 24 Hours that Changed the World (2×60’) and lifestyle title Golden Opulence: 500 Years of Luxury in Anatolia (1×60’).
“There is an increasing appetite for factual content in Asia, and TVF’s international slate of programming continues to appeal to broadcasters in the region,” said Daniyal Bari, sales manager at TVF International.
“From premium history covering everything from Asia’s ancient history to untold stories of WWII, to travel and wildlife set in the region, our catalogue connects with audience demands across Asia.”