Big Media to produce ‘Scanning History’ as first show in ZDF Studios pact

Scanning History (Source: Big Media)

New York-based factual producer and channel provider Big Media has set historical investigation series Scanning History as the first show in a new multi-series output deal with ZDF Studios for German-speaking territories.

German pubcaster ZDF’s documentary channel ZDFinfo has partner with Big Media on the 6 x 60-minute series, which explores the technological revolution shaping modern archaeology. Innovations like drones, lidar, radar, 3D imaging and more have helped unearth new archaeological finds and are casting a new light on ancient civilisations.

Under the terms of the output deal with Big Media, German distributor ZDF Studios will have early-stage creative consultation on development projects greenlit under the agreement over the course of the next year. With a guarantee of 12 hours minimum, ZDF Studios will have exclusive rights to select original series for German-speaking territories.

ZDF Studios is also taking 80 hours of existing original content from Big Media’s library for exclusive distribution in German-speaking territories, including Warriors Way, Empire Games and M.A.D. World.

In addition to Germany, Scanning History has also been pre-sold to AMC for their platforms in Spain, Portugal and Africa. As part of the licensing deal, AMC will also gain rights to Deadliest Weapons Declassified and Special Investigations series.

“Over the years, Big Media has co-produced with or pre-sold series to ZDF Studios, including such successful shows as The Celts Untold Stories, Knights Templars and First In: CIA vs Bin Laden,” said Big Media co-founder and global head of production Martin Kaše.

“This deal is an extension and formalisation of our already mutually productive and beneficial relationship that provides ZDF Studios with exclusive content in their market, allowing them to remain highly competitive, and Big Media with the resources to continue producing top-quality series that can be licensed in other parts of the world as well.”