History


Lifetime recruits History exec to co-head unscripted content

History exec Amy Savitsky is moving to fellow A&E Networks brand Lifetime to co-head unscripted programming. Previously serving as SVP of development and programming for History, Savitsky will now be SVP of unscripted development and programming for Lifetime. She will report to Lifetime’s EVP and head of programming, Amy Winter, and work alongside Brie Amanda […]

Amazon takes first run rights on ‘Vikings’ finale away from History

Amazon Prime Video has bagged first window rights for the final 10 episodes of historical drama series Vikings. The streamer struck a deal for the exclusive first run in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Ireland, which in an unusual arrangement relegates History, which commissioned the series – one of its key shows – to […]

A+E’s History orders Morgan Freeman-fronted prison break doc series

A+E  Networks-owned History channel has commissioned a new 6 x 60-minute factual series exploring some of the greatest prison breaks of all time, hosted and executive produced by actor Morgan Freeman. The series, which has the working title of Great Escapes With Morgan Freeman, is being produced by Freeman and Lori McCreary’s company Revelations Entertainment, […]

Samuel L Jackson’s docuseries ‘Enslaved’ to air in 130 territories

France’s Histoire TV, History in Germany and RTVE in Spain have picked up Samuel L Jackson-fronted docuseries Enslaved, which is set to launch in 130 territories following a raft of deals. The show, which was picked up by BBC Two in the UK last month, examines the transatlantic slave trade and will shed new light […]

Netflix preps sequel series to History’s ‘Vikings’

Netflix has signed up for a Vikings spin-off from MGM Television and the show’s original creative team.  Michael Hirst’s Vikings: Valhalla begins 100 years after the original History Channel series concludes and follows the adventures of Vikings Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Harada and the Norman King and Viking descendant William the Conqueror. Initially helmed by […]

Damian Lewis-fronted ‘Spy Wars’ secures global sales

Broadcasters including History and Blaze in the UK and Spain’s Atresmedia are among numerous buyers to have snapped up A+E Networks factual series Damian Lewis: Spy Wars. The show, produced by Alaska TV in association with Lewis’ recently launched outfit Rookery Productions, features Homeland and Billions star Lewis as he uncovers an array of covert […]

NATPE: History gives Jesus docudrama the premium treatment

The high-end drama boom is having a knock-on effect on docudramas, according to Nutopia boss Jane Root, who says premium drama levels have “pushed up” production values on shows such as the factual producer’s forthcoming History series Jesus: His Life. Told from the perspectives of eight people close to Jesus, including his mother Mary and […]

Top US cable entertainment channel rankings unveiled

USA Network, home of The Sinner and Banijay’s forthcoming Temptation Island reboot, was the most watched ad-supported cable entertainment channel Stateside in 2018. The network marks its 13th year at the top of Nielsen’s annual rankings for cable entertainment channels in non-news and non-sports categories. It garnered an average of 1.48m across total viewers and […]

History exec returns to Discovery fold for development role

History exec Sean Boyle is to return to Discovery as senior VP of development. The former VP of development at Discovery is returning to the fold after three years at History, where he served as VP of development and production. Based in Los Angeles, the exec is to oversee the network’s strategic planning, content direction […]

MIPCOM Hot Picks: Project Blue Book

Distributor: A+E Networks Int’l Producer: A+E Studios Production in association with Compari Entertainment Broadcaster: History Concept: The true story of a US astrophysicist who investigated UFOs for 20 years On the back of the sustained success of Vikings, History has been aggressively edging into the scripted arena, looking to create what Eli Lehrer, executive VP […]

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