Walter Presents: the best foreign-language drama from around the world

26 September 2015

 

A brand new video streaming brand showcasing the world’s best foreign-language drama free-of-charge to UK viewers is to launch in January under the WALTER PRESENTS identity.

The service, which was previously announced with the working title 4 World Drama and is being launched through a partnership between Global Series Network (GSN) and Channel 4, will be exclusively available in the UK via Channel 4’s new digital hub, All 4.

The unique branding of Walter Presents was chosen by Channel 4 to emphasise the curatorial nature of the service. Walter Iuzzolino, Chief Creative Officer of GSN, will personally curate the new service which will offer a constantly evolving and expanding slate of foreign-language dramas, making it the go-to destination for both discerning fans of world drama and those curious to discover more about the genre. With an unrivalled passion for world drama, Walter’s informed and inspired curation will create an intriguing and surprising library of handpicked titles exclusively available through Walter Presents.

To celebrate the launch of the service in January 2016, Channel 4 and Walter Presents are proud to announce that “Germany’s most eagerly awaited drama” (The Guardian) Deutschland 83 will premiere on Channel 4 before being available exclusively as a box-set on Walter Presents. A taut, gripping and stylish 8-part German thriller set amidst the menaces of a divided Germany in the early 1980s, Deutschland 83 is one of Germany’s most hotly anticipated dramas of recent years and the first German-language drama ever to air in the US, proving a hit on SundanceTV channel this summer where it has was hailed as “engrossing” (Time Magazine), “slick” (The Hollywood Reporter) and “fresh and enjoyable” (The New York Times). Full information on Deutschland 83 is available on a separate press release and further announcements regarding other acquisitions on the service will be made at MIPCOM.

Capitalising on the growing demand for premium world drama, Walter Presents will eventually host more than 600 hours of drama that will be available for box-set viewing on All 4, and will include the option to download episodes to watch on the go. In addition, a selection of the best series from Walter Presents will also broadcast on Channel 4 and More 4, the latter within a dedicated, regular scheduled slot.

Titles that will be available through Walter Presents in the first year will originate from a wide range of territories, including Brazil, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Israel, Belgium, Poland, Chile and Denmark among others.

Walter Iuzzolino, Chief Creative Officer at GSN and curator of Walter Presents, says: “We live in the golden age of serial drama – with French and Scandi thrillers gripping audiences in their millions. This is the perfect time to introduce UK viewers to a much broader choice of the very best dramas and box sets from around the world, which they never previously knew existed.”

Jay Hunt, Chief Creative Officer at Channel 4, says: “Channel 4 has steadily grown its reputation for bringing the best of world drama to the UK - from The Returned to Saboteurs. The remarkable Deutschland 83 is a perfect launch for Walter presents – which will allow UK audiences to enjoy hand-picked global hits.”

Walter Presents is being launched in the UK through an exclusive partnership between Channel 4 and Global Series Network, founded and managed by Jason Thorp, Walter Iuzzolino and Jo McGrath. The two parties plan to rollout Walter Presents in a number of other TV markets.

Click here to go to Walter Presents.