Deutsche Telekom orders first original

German pay TV provider Deutsche Telekom has commissioned its first original series, a French-coproduced comedy.

The move into original production is a “logical step” for Deutsche Telekom following the launch of Ultra-HD services and its first exclusive acquisitions for its new Entertain TV streaming platform, its execs say.

The show, Germanized, is a 10x30mins comedy from Bavaria Fernsehproduktion and Newen Group-owned Telfrance.

The series is billed as a “light-hearted, culture clash comedy” about “200 Germans ‘invading’ a picturesque but bankrupt Basque village”. Christoph Maria Herbst (Stromberg, pictured) and Roxane Duran (The White Ribbon) star.

Franck Magnier and Alexandre Charlot (Les Guignols de L’Info) are the French co-creators and head writers. They are working alongside co-creator and writer Thomas Rogel, who pens ZDF political satire Heute Show, and Stromberg producer Peter Güde.

Bavaria’s executive producer of international series, Moritz Polter, and chief creative officer Oliver Vogel are coproducing, along with Güde and Telfrance’s head of international coproduction, Sandra Ouaiss.

It shoots early next year ahead of a Q4 2018 premiere debut on Entertain TV, which was revamped last year as part of a wider push into UHD content and exclusive sports rights acquisitions.

Entertain TV currently offers around 300 channels, around 10 of which are HD, and offers seven-day catch-up.

THE DEAL IN QUOTES

Michael Hagspihl, managing director of private clients at Deutsche Telekom

“Our journey continues – after UHD and the first exclusive series for Entertain TV, the next logical step is original productions. With our partners we have put together a strong team with stellar expertise in serial production. We’re looking forward to joining forces for our first EntertainTV original.”

Jan S. Kaiser, MD of Bavaria Fernsehproduktion

“Streaming platforms have profoundly changed the way we consume television series. As one of Germany’s leading production companies we have many years‘ experience in successfully developing and producing fictional content and, together with our coproduction partner Telfrance, we’re a strong partner for Deutsche Telekom. Germanized is our first production for a streaming platform and we’re positive that this is just the beginning of a long business relationship.“

Tanguy de Franclieu, MD of Newen Studios Group

“Creation and partnerships involving international and French talents are at the very core of Newen’s strategy to best serve its French and international clients. This series that Telfrance will produce with Bavaria Fernsehproduktion, our German partner in Newen Network since 2012, is the perfect illustration of what we intend to do”.