ZDF Studios targets factual entertainment with Tom Gamlich & Jan Fritzowsky’s Content Laden

LR: Jan Fritzowsky, Karoline Meichsner-Sertl, Markus Schäfer, Tom Gamlich

ZDF Studios has partnered with Tom Gamlich and Jan Fritzowsky to launch a new prodco in a bid to focus on factual entertainment format creation.

Content Laden will develop and produce of “innovative” IP, with Gamlich named MD and Fritzowsky taking on the role of creative director.

Gamlich and Fritzowsky most recently worked on fact ent formats for broadcasters and streamers in Germany through their Munich prodco, south&browse.

Karoline Meichsner-Sertl, co-MD at ZDF Studios, said the launch formed part of a strategy to build on its existing drama, entertainment and docs operaitons.

“Now we want to specifically strengthen the genre of factual entertainment through the newly founded company. In the future, we also expect this to have positive effects on our international format distribution,” she added.

“We want to create outstanding formats and in doing so, achieve long-term, sustainable growth,” said Markus Schäfer, president & CEO of ZDF Studios. “That’s why we are delighted to have gained such an experienced and creative team in Tom and Jan, who represent innovative programme development and the highest production quality in the market.”

Gamlich said: “I am looking forward to this new combination of start-up and partnership with ZDF Studios. The close connection to ZDF is particularly exciting because programme content, values and personal connections are an exact fit.” Jan Fritzowsky adds: “No matter if it’s TV or a media library such as ZDF’s Mediathek – there always has to be the idea that makes it special.”