2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Asharq Discovery licenses documentary series ‘Parenthood' from All3Media
Driven by Sir David Attenborough's narration, 'Parenthood' captures the high-stakes challenges of animal parenting—from spiders to giraffes, otters to crabs, dolphins to hippos, chimpanzees to lions.
Asharq Discovery has acquired the rights to air the new Sir David Attenborough-narrated documentary series Parenthood across the Middle East and North Africa, as part of a wave of international sales secured by distributor All3Media International.
Produced by the natural history specialists Silverback Films, known for The Hunt and Ocean with David Attenborough, the five-part series explores the universal challenges of raising the next generation in the wild. Over three years, filmmakers captured intimate stories of animal parenting on six continents, using state-of-the-art 8K cameras to film creatures ranging from giraffes and dolphins to spiders and chimpanzees.
Ahead of its premiere on the BBC, Parenthood has also been picked up by broadcasters worldwide. In China, CCTV-9 obtained the first linear rights, complemented by non-exclusive digital agreements across major platforms including iQIYI, Tencent Video, Youku, and bilibili. Warner Bros. Discovery will broadcast the series in select Asian markets, while NHK in Japan, a co-production partner, plans to debut a locally adapted version this summer. Additional buyers include Now TV in Hong Kong, Network Ten in Australia, and TVNZ in New Zealand.
Commissioned by Jack Bootle, the BBC's Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual, the series is produced by Silverback Films with Jeff Wilson serving as Series Producer and Director, Keith Scholey as Executive Producer, and Tara Knowles as Production Manager.
Rachel Job, SVP Unscripted at All3Media International, said: 'I'm delighted to see 'Parenthood' leaving its footprint around the world. This groundbreaking documentary delivers must-see viewing, using stunning visuals to immerse audiences in the ever-changing and often dangerous world of animal parenting. Packed with engaging characters and capturing behaviours never seen before, these incredible stories — in combination with the film's powerful, relatable message about investing in future generations and the importance of preserving the natural world — are sure to resonate deeply worldwide.'
Narrated by Attenborough, the series presents five hour-long films that reveal dramatic, often perilous efforts by animals to raise their young, offering audiences a vivid glimpse into the devotion and sacrifices that drive life in the wild.
