PBS

PBS Distribution: war, cybercrime, and space security lead MIPCOM offer

Ahead of the MIPCOM market, PBS Distribution presented a diverse slate of six documentary projects to international buyers during a dedicated virtual showcase, spanning subjects from ancient archaeology and Indigenous science to cybercrime and space security. Germaine Sweet, Managing Director of Content Acquisitions and Sales, opened the presentation by underscoring the distributor’s ongoing commitment to the responsible use of artificial intelligence across its programming. The event also featured insights from Anna Alvord, Director of International Sales Operations, and Betsy LeBlanc, Director of International, alongside project directors Peter Yost of Pangloss Films, Peter Klein of Frontline/PBS, and Ben Holgate of Blink Films.

The lineup featured high-stakes historical and archaeological investigations, headlined by Blink Films’ Ghost Ship Mystery (1×60’). Slated for delivery in October with an international premiere in January 2027, the film examines Russian imperial-era shipwrecks exposed after the destruction of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam drained the Dnieper River reservoir in June 2023. Director Ben Holgate shared his experience embedding with a Ukrainian archaeology team, noting that the crew filmed under active bombardment. Also from Blink Films is Lost City of Gold (2×45’, available now), which follows Oxford archaeologist Professor Shadreck Chirikure as he investigates the medieval African empire of Great Zimbabwe, located near his birthplace.

Scientific exploration and contemporary global security also anchor the catalog with two new NOVA productions. Space Wars (1×60’) investigates the escalating militarization of orbit and the profound vulnerabilities of the global satellite network. Director Peter Yost, presenting his ninth film for NOVA, cited the deployment of Starlink in Ukraine in 2022 and leaked 2024 reports regarding a Russian orbital nuclear platform as primary catalysts for the project. Yost noted that space has been militarized from its inception, pointing out that early American astronauts traveled on intercontinental ballistic missiles painted with the US flag. He emphasized that a major satellite failure would have catastrophic practical impacts, disrupting global GPS, ATM networks, and credit card transactions. Complementing this is Knowledge Keepers (1×60’), which examines the indigenous science and engineering of four North American cultures, detailing Arctic navigation, Pacific Northwest sea gardens, applied mathematics in basketry, and desert architecture.

Rounding out the slate are projects examining technology, society, and justice. Wild Bear Entertainment’s Time Traveler’s Guide (6×60’, available now) targets younger demographics through a highly bingeable format that uses an AI tour guide to immerse viewers in extreme historical events, from disasters and dictators to viral phenomena. In the investigative space, an untitled Frontline documentary (2×45’ or 1×90’) co-produced with The Associated Press will be available in late October, exploring the global epidemic of online scams. Finally, Skiff Mountain Films’ Crime and Punishment in America, directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, offers a comprehensive 250-year examination of the United States justice system, tracing its origins, evolution, and universal themes of justice and retribution across a four-part series that is currently available on the PBS website.

Product Highlights

The American Revolution

A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt – 6×120

Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations.

Terror on the Space Station

2×60, 1×90

On November 2nd, 2025, it will be 25 years since the first crew arrived aboard the International Space Station. Now British and international astronauts and mission controllers reveal its most terrifying moments, from gas leaks, meteor strikes, and docking disasters to colliding satellites, spacewalk horrors, lethal space junk showers, and the moment the entire ISS backflipped out of control. Terror on the Space Station uncovers tales of life and death at 1.3 million feet and the brilliance that each time saved the day.

The Hills Are Alive: A Year At Kylemore Abbey

3×60

A year inside Kylemore Abbey, a heritage site in Ireland run by Benedictine nuns. We follow the nuns and their lay staff as they work to grow Kylemore’s success, from summer through Christmas to the spring rebirth at Easter.

Trump’s Power & The Rule of Law

1×90

Inside the high-stakes showdown between Donald Trump and the courts over presidential power. Trump allies, opponents and experts on how he is testing the extent of his power; the legal pushback; and impact on the rule of law

The Orient Express: A Golden Era of Travel

4×60

The Orient Express is a four-part series retracing the iconic train’s route from London to Istanbul at its peak. Once hosting monarchs, celebrities, and spies, it also inspired Murder on the Orient Express. The series explores the train’s rich history, Europe’s transformation over 150 years, and legendary railways along the way. Featuring Golden Eagle’s new luxury service from Paris to Istanbul, it shows how the legacy of opulent rail travel remains alive in modern Europe.

Syria After Assad

1×60

Syria’s uncertain future under Jihadist-turned-statesman Ahmad al-Sharaa. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Correspondent Martin Smith travels the country tracing al-Sharaa’s rise to power, and the emerging threats to the country’s stability.

PBS Distribution brings high-quality documentary, lifestyle, and children’s programming to the international marketplace.

The International team is the worldwide co-production and distribution arm of PBS Distribution, a leading distributor of public media content around the world, entertaining audiences across platforms and formats. The company, a joint venture of PBS and GBH Boston, provides premium content through multiple digital channels and video services. PBS Distribution operates six subscription streaming channels — PBS Masterpiece (US and CA), PBS KIDS, PBS Living, PBS Documentaries and PBS America (U.K.) as well as numerous Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) Channels in the U.S and U.K. In addition, the company reaches viewers through transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, Advertising-based Video on Demand (AVOD), DVD and Blu-ray, theatrical releasing, educational platforms, non-theatrical and inflight sales, and serves broadcasters and producers providing program sales and co-production financing.

PBS Distribution offers the highest quality factual and children’s programming including films from Ken Burns, entertaining and educational PBS KIDS series, and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, and many independent producers.

We highly value our relationship with our clients and believe that the great breadth and depth of our capabilities, and our robust catalog of high-caliber programs, enables us to provide our producers and media partners with the best possible service.

PBS

John Doe

Sales Executive

Tracy Beckett

Comissioning Editor, Co-Productions & Acquisitions

Anna Alvord

Director Factual Sales

Sabrina Hall Aguirre

Sales Manager, Factual & PBS Kids