Canvas series 'Albatros' sold to American broadcaster

The TV series 'Albatros' has been sold to PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), the American non-commercial broadcaster, where the programme will soon be broadcast. This was announced on Thursday by production company De Wereldvrede, which made the series together with Canvas, the Flemish public broadcaster VRT's second television channel.

Last year, TV series Albatros won the Prix Europa media prize for best fiction series. As a result of this award, the series did not go unnoticed outside of Europe either, as is shown by the interest in the series by PBS. The largest American non-commercial television network has more than 350 affiliated local TV stations. 

Previously, the series was also sold to video on demand (VOD) platforms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The series was also acquired by the public broadcaster of the Czech Republic and Wallonia. 

The tragicomic fiction series 'Albatros' follows ten obese people who participate in a slimming camp in the Ardennes and is written by Wannes Destoop and actor Dominique Van Malder. The latter also plays in the series, alongside other well-known names such as Ruth Beeckmans, Benny Claessens, Joris Hessels and Janne Desmet. 

"These sales are really very special to us as makers, because they confirm the international appeal and universal themes of the series," director Wannes Destoop said in a press release.

In Flanders and the Netherlands, the series can be watched via Streamz and Netflix. 

(AHU)

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© BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE Actor Dominique Van Malder and his partner, pictured during the opening of the 47th 'Film Fest Gent', film festival in Gent, Tuesday 13 October 2020.