BBCS agrees factual tie with France Télévisions

BBC Studios and France Télévisions have agreed a multi-year partnership to develop and co-produce factual content. 

The deal includes a co-production first look across BBC Studios upcoming unscripted output. The two companies have previously co-produced factual shows including the BBCS Natural History Unit’s BBC1 landmarks Frozen Planet II and Planet Earth III and Prime Video’s Mammals. 

Upcoming titles already confirmed to be co-produced under the new agreement include the recently announced BBC Studios Science Unit series Walking With Dinosaurs – a reboot of the BBC1 show after 25 years.   

The new agreement, which commenced in April, also includes first option on pre-sales and acquisitions across BBC Studios’ back catalogue of factual shows. Pre-sale have already agreed for BBC Studios Science Unit’s BBC2 titles Solar System, featuring Professor Brian Cox, and Earth, featuring Chris Packham.  

BBCS senior vice president, factual, EMEA Chris Kinsman, who brokered the agreements alongside head of factual sales Katherine Waddicar, said: “BBCS produces the most commanding and captivating factual content worldwide and our partners clearly agree as our content has never been more in demand.  

“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.” 

France Télévisions’ head of docs Antonio Grigolini added: “France Télévisions is 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.”