News round-up: ‘Unknowns’ travels to Europe & Australia; Federation strikes Asia sales; Freevee launches Jamie Oliver FAST channel

Unknowns

‘Unknowns’ travels to Europe & Australia

Polar+ in France, SBS in Australia, Filmin in Spain and Portugal and Be in French-speaking Belgium and Luxemburg have all acquired Israeli drama thriller Unknowns, following deals with distributor About Premium Content.

Commissioned by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, and produced by Rabel Films, the 9 x 52-minutes Hebrew language drama is created and written by Guy Sidis, along with Nirit Yaron and Tawfik Abu-Wael, who also directed, and produced by Amit Dekel & Nirit Yaron.

The series tells the story of a group of boys, living on the margins of Israeli society and spending their time in a school for at-risk youth. One day, they become the immediate suspects in a rape investigation, which will shake their already unbalanced world and stir their own share of secrets and betrayals.

Laurent Boissel and Emmanuelle Guilbart, joint-CEOs and co-founders at APC, said: “Tawfik Abu Wael is an incredibly well established Palestinian Israeli creator, best known for his captivating drama, Our Boys. Along with a team of talented writers and actors, he has directed an ensemble drama which is both hard-hitting and intimate. We are thrilled to have secured the first broadcast deals for the show.”

Around The World In 80 Days

Federation strikes Asia sales

Asian broadcasters have acquired a range of scripted and factual content following deals with distributor Federation Entertainment.

Among the recent sales is adventure drama series Around The World In 80 Days, which has been acquired by WingSight in China and Watcha in South Korea.

Seasons one and two of thriller Bad Banks and drama Made In Italy have been picked up in China by Blue Media, with Bad Banks also sold to Now TV in Hong Kong and Macao, while Your Honor has been taken by Wowow in Japan.

Documentary Wenger has also been acquired by Now TV for Hong Kong and Macao, as well as in South Korea by Watcha and in China by WingSight.

Freevee launches Jamie Oliver FAST channel

Fremantle has launched a FAST channel on Amazon’s AVOD service Freevee, dedicated to British chef Jamie Oliver, and secured deals for his latest series.

The Jamie Oliver Channel features a catalogue of shows including American Road Trip, 30 Minute Meals and Jamie’s Kitchen. The channel will roll-out on other services in the coming months.

Fremantle has also secured a number of global deals for the chef’s latest series, The Great Cookbook Challenge With Jamie Oliver, with CTV Life Channel in Canada, Disney for Eastern Europe, Netherlands, MENA and Turkey, FOX Life for Greece, Malta and Cyprus, RTL Living in Germany, AMC Networks International Central & Northern Europe for Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova, Ananey in Israel and TV3 Lithuania.