ZDF Enterprises ramps up copros

ZDF Enterprises, the commercial arm of German public broadcaster ZDF, is ramping up the number of documentaries it coproduces in China.

Currently in production is 2x52mins doc The Chinese Wall, which is produced by ZDF affiliated Gruppe 5. CEO Alexander Coridass says it aims to delve into territories not touched on by previous docs on the great wall of China. "It’s hard to make classical sales in China," he says. "We find it easier to license formats and do coproductions."

ZDF’s format business has also had recent success, selling the Wetten, Dass..? gameshow format to US network ABC. The show, which will be fronted by British presenters Ant & Dec, will be produced by The Weakest Link producer Phil Gurin. Coridass says he expects this to help boost format sales of the show to other English-speaking countries.