Netflix & Propagate Exploring “Market-By-Market” Versions Of Sports Doc Series ‘Untold’

Ben Silverman has revealed that Netflix is exploring how the pair’s doc series Untold could be turned into an international franchise for the streamer.

The Propagate chief told an audience at Content London that discussions were taking place about making episodes of the anthology sports doc series under the Untold banner.

“That is something we’re exploring with Netflix,” he said. “The franchise helps with discovery and finding the content. It is a consistently super-high level of content around stories that people are leaning into, so there is an opportunity to bring that brand global in the Netflix ecosystem and have it play market-by-market with its own local focus.”

Propagate has overseen production on four seasons of Untold, with docs focusing on story subjects such as Caitlyn Jenner’s life and Olympic career and Hope Solo’s relationship with the U.S. soccer team. The most recent tranche, titled ‘Volume 4’, launched in August. “It’s a great example of the best sports anthology franchises,” said Silverman.

The exec, a former NBC chairman known for bringing the likes of Ugly Betty to the U.S. through international format deals, gave his assessment on how the streaming buy-out model that had impacted the global formats market. He praised the UK’s system that allows its producers to retain the rights to shows broadcasters commission. “That was the start of the great explosion of format recreation and wealth creation around the world,” he said.

However, since global streamers have come into the market, seeking local “authenticity,” it has “absolutely” transformed the market,” he added. Propagate is currently adapting long-running British drama Doc Martin for Fox, but noted this happens “much less” than in the past. “Creators are not retaining those rights, as they are getting bought out.”

This had been both a positive and negative influence on the business, he said, as though the larger fees meant creatives lost their rights, their “original version that you were so passionate and connected to” is streamed around the world.