Continuing to fuel its vast library of world-class content, leading international media company Viasat World has inked its latest content deal with Sonar Entertainment – bringing the much-anticipated event series Das Boot to its Epic Drama markets, and adding season two of the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Mr. Mercedes to the line-up for its ViP Premiere channel and ViP SVOD service in Russia and the CIS territories.

Das Boot is one of the main features in the TVBIZZ Magazine NATPE Budapest International edition which was released this morning: http://tvbizzmagazine.com/das-boot-the-epic-returns-as-super-series

Seniha Tunaboylu, Head of Acquisitions at Viasat World, comments: “We’re thrilled to make our channels and platforms the home of these top-quality series in CEE markets. Our reputation is built on the strength of our content curation expertise, and our brands are much-loved by audiences because they are synonymous with the very best shows that are out there right now. Filmed here in Europe and in part in one of Epic Drama’s markets, we are particularly excited to see how Das Boot resonates with the audience. Sonar Entertainment, as a producer and distributor of exceptional content, is a key partner to us and this deal signifies our continuing commitment to working alongside the best in the business.”

A co-production between Sky Deutschland, Bavaria Fiction and Sonar Entertainment, the new event series Das Boot (8x60) is inspired by the Oscar and Golden Globe nominated masterpiece by Wolfgang Petersen and Lothar-Günther Buchheim’s bestselling novel. The 32.8 million USD production, filmed in Munich, La Rochelle, Prague and Malta, brings the senseless reality of World War Two to life with two original storylines running parallel on land and sea. Packed full of international talent in front of and behind the camera, the series follows the crew of the fictional U612 U-boat as they leave their home port for enemy territory, whilst also following the Resistance as it fights the German occupying forces in La Rochelle. The all-star cast includes Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread), Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex) Tom Wlaschiha (Game of Thrones), Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men), James D’Arcy (Marvel’s Agent Carter) and Thierry Frémont (Juste un regard).

Shot in German, French, and English, and boasting world-class high-end production values, Viasat World has acquired the exclusive* rights including SVOD for Das Boot in selected international markets and has tentatively scheduled its broadcast on Epic Drama – the fastest growing pay-TV channel in Europe - for December.

Das Boot is directed by Andreas Prochaska (The Dark Valley). Tony Saint (Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley) and Johannes W. Betz (Der Tunnel) are the head writers. Executive Producers are Moritz Polter (Spotless), Oliver Vogel (Dengler) and Jan S. Kaiser (Hotel Lux) for Bavaria Fernsehproduktion; Marcus Ammon and Frank Jastfelder for Sky; and Jenna Santoianni (Taboo) for Sonar Entertainment.
In addition to Das Boot, Mr. Mercedes season two has also been acquired exclusively for Viasat World’s ViP Premiere channel and ViP Play SVOD service in Russia and the CIS territories (Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Georgia). Series one aired exclusively on Viasat World’s TV1000 Premium channel in Russia and CIS, before its recent rebrand to ViP Premiere.

David Ellender, President of Global Distribution and Co-Productions at Sonar Entertainment adds: “Viasat World’s portfolio of channels and platforms is the perfect home for these exceptional productions. We know both Das Boot and Mr. Mercedes season two will be enormously popular with CEE audiences.”