Independent distribution and production company Off The Fence (OTF) has sold over 500 hours of its catalogue of television programming to African broadcasters, such as Wananchi Programming Ltd for its new East African channels, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation and South Africa’s On Digital Media (TopTV).
In the meantime OTF is presenting over 350 hours of brand new programming at the MIPCOM content market currently underway in Cannes, France. Key programmes debuting at the market are Slaveship Mutiny (1×60’), Life Force (6×60’), Downsized (8×60’), Excavating Jesus (1×60’), Firing the Magic Bullet (1×60’) and Trapper and the Amazon (1×60’).
OTF’s African sales were brokered by in-house sales executive Gerbrig Blanksma. He says: “Off The Fence continues to represent a compelling slate of top-quality factual specials and series from the world’s leading producers and broadcasters. Our continued success demonstrates an increasing demand for an extensive range of factual programming. We are delighted to be working so closely with leading African broadcasters and hope to bring them even more quality programming in the future.’
Over 370 hours of programming has been sold to Wananchi Programming Ltd. for its new Zuku Afrika and Zuku Life channels launching this month in East Africa. Wananchi bought a range of titles from OTF’s catalogue, including The Locator (44×30’), Amazing Wedding Cakes (33×60’), Magnificent Obsessions (48×30’), Stories from the Vaults (14×26’), Equator (6×50’), Most Extreme Series One and Two (26×60’), Shamwari – A Wildlife (26×26’) and Future Earth: Journey to the End of the World (1×50’).
Says Hannelie Bekker, MDr, Wananchi Programming Group: “The range of content that was acquired from Off The Fence forms the backbone of the launch schedule of Zuku Life – a broad based documentary channel developed especially for East Africa.’
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation has bought 50 hours of programming for its free to air channel including Shamwari (26×26’), Extinction Sucks (6×30’), Nature’s Greatest Moments (158×5’), Man Made Marvels Series One (6×60’) and Sharkville (1×50’).
On Digital Media picked up 39 hours in a deal for TopTV, including Magnificent Obsessions (48×30’) and Reservations Required (30×30’).
Autentic has bought 43 hours of history and adventure programming for the Explore and History channel. These titles include one off specials Hunt for the Double Eagle (1×50’), a docudrama that takes the viewer on a dramatic investigation that leads up to the surprising rediscovery of the infamous solid gold Double Eagle coin. JFK’s Women: The Scandals Revealed (1×50’), an explosive new biography that reveals the real John F. Kennedy: a president who was prepared to risk his political career and his country’s security in return for sex, and Surviving Alcatraz (1×50’), a one off special that takes a look inside the legendary prison to hear how the inmates survived daily life.
