Over the last year, Autentic has been riding the same ups and downs as the wider programming industry—but is buoyed in the market’s turbulent waters by a robust slate of perennially popular nature and wildlife content. “On the one hand, certain markets remain robust, unaffected by economic downturns, allowing us to license substantial packages of premium factual content,” says Mirjam Strasser, head of sales and acquisitions. “Wildlife and nature programming, in particular, continue to perform exceptionally well, demonstrating strong demand and high sales volume.”
Through its strategic collaboration with Terra Mater Studios, Autentic is in a prime position to serve the needs of its wildlife and nature clients, ensuring access to high-caliber content in these genres. “Our long-standing relationships with many other renowned wildlife producers, for example Nautilusfilm, further strengthen our ability to provide beautifully crafted nature documentaries that resonate with audiences worldwide,” Strasser says.
“However, our expertise extends beyond nature programming. Buyers are consistently expressing strong demand for high-quality, blue-chip factual content, also in the areas of history and science. These genres remain vital and highly successful pillars of our portfolio and continue to perform well, as audiences seek visually stunning, well-researched and engaging documentaries,” says Strasser.
“On the other hand, we are navigating challenges in markets where clients face significant budget constraints, limiting acquisitions to only the most essential IPs,” she continues. “In these regions, buyers primarily license reruns and sequels, with little appetite for new content. This dynamic has made the year more demanding than previous ones.”
The brightest area of growth, she says, has been in nonlinear exploitation, particularly AVOD, where the company’s distribution business “continues to be highly successful amid a steadily expanding market. Our FAST channels are also thriving; after extensive setup efforts, we are now seeing significantly more rewarding revenues than in the early stages.”
The company is expanding its library by acquiring back catalogs specifically for FAST and AVOD distribution, “as the demand for high-volume, premium content remains critical for the success of our owned-and-operated channels,” Strasser says.
Furthermore, she says, long-running factual series remain highly desirable, as they offer reliability, audience retention and the ability to build dedicated viewership over time. “In the evolving landscape of nonlinear distribution, serialized long-form content continues to perform exceptionally well, making it a priority for our acquisition strategy,” Strasser adds. “A great example is our series Hot Roads—The World’s Most Dangerous Roads, now in its fourth season. The series remains in high demand, performing strongly across linear TV channels and digital platforms.”
“Our output deal with Go Button Media is also a great way to ensure that we can add standout series for our catalog that align with our customers’ needs.” Notable examples of upcoming series as part of this output deal include Secrets of Ancient Structures and The Animal Within 2.
Additionally, Autentic is actively seeking blue-chip titles and high-quality series with strong IP, such as Morlock Motors, which it successfully launched at the London TV Screenings. “Our focus extends to series and programs with distinctive, unique selling points—whether through exclusive access, extraordinary locations or groundbreaking discoveries, such as never-before-seen animal behavior,” Strasser says. An example is The Island of Giants, exploring the majestic whale sharks of the Azores.
“Buyers are looking for compelling storytelling, fresh perspectives and high production values to meet the evolving demands of the global audience,” Strasser says. “Additionally, there is a growing interest in anniversary titles—special productions that commemorate significant historical events, scientific breakthroughs or cultural milestones. For example, our collection of World War II documentaries was in high demand for the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. These projects allow networks and platforms to capitalize on built-in audience curiosity and nostalgia.”
In the wider catalog, new key highlights include The Sum of All Cities by DBcom Media, which is currently in production and available for presale. Autentic Studios has several major productions in the pipeline, including The Science of Hope, coming in the fall, and Elite Escapes: Trails of Fame & Fortune, in which history, legends and luxury collide. Autentic Distribution’s wildlife genre boasts several key documentaries, among them Leopard Dynasty—The Rise of Rana from Terra Mater Studios; Pangolin—Journey to Freedom, also a Terra Mater Studios production; and The Island of Giants, by BAFTA-awarded and Emmy-nominated Atlantic Ridge Productions.
“With our diverse and compelling lineup, we are looking forward to an exciting season ahead, offering fresh, high-quality content across science, history, wildlife and more,” Strasser says.
As the company looks ahead in 2025, Autentic will be sharpening its focus on IP and returnable series, recognizing their long-term value in an increasingly competitive content landscape. “Investing in strong, repeatable formats ensures sustainability and audience retention, making them a key priority for our distribution and production strategy,” says Strasser. “Additionally, acquisitions will take center stage, as securing high-quality content remains paramount—after all, content is king. We have built strong, long-established relationships with local producers, and I am particularly pleased to see our international partnerships expanding, with increasing collaborations across Canada, the U.K., Italy and beyond. With the continued expansion of digital platforms, we are placing a strong emphasis on AVOD and FAST distribution, actively acquiring back catalogs specifically for these models. The demand for premium, nonlinear content is growing rapidly, and ensuring a steady supply of engaging programming is crucial for our success. By strategically aligning our efforts with these market trends, Autentic is well-positioned to navigate the evolving media ecosystem while maximizing opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Company Info & Contacts
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Patrick Hörl
Managing Director
Mirjam Strasser
Head, Sales & Acquisitions (German-Speaking Territories, Italy)
Julian Althaus
Director, Digital Sales & TV (Global Digital Sales, AsiaPac, MENA)
Birte Zywko
International Sales & Co-Financing Manager (France, Benelux, Nordics, U.K., LatAm, Spain, Portugal, U.S., Canada)
