Off the Fence


How next generation thinking is prompting green production push

Helen Dugdale explores how content consumption is affecting the world’s climate and finds out what those commissioning the shows are doing about it Earlier this year, the UK’s BBC aired a documentary titled Dirty Streaming. As the name suggests, it made for rather uncomfortable watching as it totted up how much energy viewers used consuming […]

Off The Fence and WaterBear Network hire Insight TV alum Oliver Taprogge

Former Insight TV exec Oliver Taprogge has joined Netherlands-and-UK-based factual production and distribution outfit Off The Fence as director of digital sales and as head of distribution at its upcoming VOD platform WaterBear Network. Based in Off The Fence’s Amsterdam HQ, Taprogge will be responsible for the company’s global VOD sales and will also oversee […]

OTF founder’s streamer WaterBear Network reveals senior team

Soon-to-launch nature streamer WaterBear Network has named its management team ahead of its launch later this year, with roles for a number of execs from ZDFEnterprises-owned distributor Off The Fence. The free, interactive VOD service is dedicated to supporting life on earth and is being launched by Ellen Windemuth, who founded factual-focused OTF more than […]

Red Arrow hires A+E alum Joel Denton to head int’l distribution

Red Arrow Studios (RAS) has appointed former A+E Networks exec Joel Denton as acting president of the Germany company’s distribution business. Denton started his new London-based role at Red Arrow Studios International (RASI) today and will work together with current chief Bo Stehmeier, who is leaving later in the year to become CEO at ZDF […]

Show of the week – Costa Rica: The Rise Of Nature

One for the natural history lovers, this three-parter explores Costa Rica, which offers a range of ecosystems – from dry forests and volcanoes to rainforests and marine parks, all abundant in fauna and flora. They also provide a sanctuary to more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, thanks to an innovative and proactive ecological policy […]

Red Arrow’s Bo Stehmeier to return to ZDFE’s Off The Fence as CEO

ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) has appointed Red Arrow Studios International’s president Bo Stehmeier as CEO at Off The Fence, the factual distributor it acquired in 2019. Stehmeier will take up his position alongside OTF’s founder Ellen Windemuth from January next year, with interim co-CEO Ralf Rueckauer returning to his role as VP of ZDFE’s unscripted output. […]

Off The Fence hires Leila Monks as head of commissioning

ZDF Enterprises-backed Off The Fence has hired Leila Monks in the newly created role of head of commissioning, through which she will build out the distributor’s production arm. The former TVF International and Zig Zag exec – who set up her own production label, Antidote Productions, in 2014 – is to work across development, production […]