Show of the week: Soundtracks – Songs That Defined History

From the March on Washington to the LGBT riots at the Stonewall Inn, the moon landing to Hurricane Katrina, Soundtracks – Songs That Defined History explores the music that played an integral part in celebrating, criticising and amplifying these momentous events in mankind’s collective memory.

Explaining the eight-part doc’s appeal to buyers, Sam Harowitz, VP of scripted acquisitions and coproductions, global content at FremantleMedia International, says: “Music is the universal language that allows people to connect to one another and the subject at the heart of this series. It is the theme that makes this programme globally relevant.

“The series eloquently draws a line from music that we know to pivotal events in history by using A-list talent including Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Jackson and Patti Labelle, commercial music, and stunning archival footage.”

In terms of where it will play best, Harowitz says: “Premium factual programming like Soundtracks has the potential to reach audiences and demographics on a variety of platforms. We anticipate it will primarily appeal to pay TV before migrating to streaming and/or free to air public channels.”

He adds that Fremantle-sold CNN docs such as The Sixties, The Seventies, The Eighties and The Nineties have shown 6-10 hours is a “sweet spot”.

The show: Soundtracks – Songs That Defined History
The producers: Seven Bucks Productions, Show Of Force
The distributor: FremantleMedia International
The broadcaster: CNN (US)
The concept: Series exploring music inextricably linked to momentous events in recent history