In 1965, Transtel started out as an innovator in German media, being one of the first providers of German television productions for markets outside of Europe. And now, 50 years later, and with the cultural and journalistic expertise of DW as a backbone, that success has grown and DW Transtel has turned into one of Europe’s largest documentary providers.

When DW acquired Transtel as a partner in 1998, it was a perfect match that expanded and extended Transtel’s portfolio and added to DW’s image of an already strong brand in German international media. DW Transtel could provide both entertainment and information to audiences around the world under the global banner of quality – “Made in Germany”.

Over the years, the number of documentaries available has increased and today 150 are offered every year. They are available in at least three languages, which means DW Transtel can provide content for every taste, in every part of the world. Originally produced DW documentaries and globally-popular and recognizable programs like the European lifestyle journal Euromaxx complement the best of German programming and help make DW Transtel’s  catalogue of documentaries and programs  truly international.

DW Transtel is celebrating its 50th birthday throughout the year at events like MIPCOM in Cannes and other international media conferences, where DW Transtel has built a strong reputation over the years as a reliable content partner. From the 1970’s when soccer specials topped the list , to the intricately-produced variety of popular documentaries available today, DW Transtel continues to bring the best of German entertainment to audiences worldwide

 

Digital

DW is one of the first broadcasters to make use of the latest in OTT services from Opera. In selecting Opera TV Snap for broadcasters, DW will leverage the latest version to enable users to access multilingual DW live programming and on-demand content, all from the comfort of their sofas. Viewers can access these services through the Opera TV Store app platform, available on tens of millions of devices from over 15 global manufacturers. Opera TV Snap providea broadcasters with expanded OTT capabilities on Smart TVs, including a ready-to-deploy Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) solution to drive seamless interactivity on linear TV.

“DW is committed to bring engaging content to our viewers. We’re excited to upgrade our Smart TV offering by utilizing the latest version of Opera TV Snap. We’ve found this path to be convenient in reaching Smart TV and HbbTV audiences,” says Petra Schneider, Director of Sales and Distribution at DW.

South America

Portuguese content from DW is now available on smart TVs, tablets and smartphones in Brazil via Moony, the new streaming platform from Samsung available for download on the Google Play Store or Galaxy Apps. DW has an exclusive place among 40 content providers that are on board for the roll out of the service. Moony users in Brazil have instant access to the latest episodes of popular DW shows like Futurando and Camarote.21 along with Portuguese content from DW Transtel including EinSteinchen ,Ecopia or From Tierra del Fuego to Tijuana.

Asia

DW has a new partner in Sri Lanka. The sports, lifestyle and business channel Carlton Sports Network (CSN) has aquired four DW shows including Drive it and In Good Shape. CSN reaches an estimated 2.5 million households in Sri Lanka.

DW’s Pakistani partner ATV is now broadcasting a DW news bulletin during prime time. The channel is the largest private television network in Pakistan, serving all major cities and commercial centers.

Representatives from DW are currently at MIPCOM 2014 to present special DW programming highlights to potential partners from around the global entertainment industry. At the top of the list this year are two new documentary formats from DW Transtel.

For everyone who has an international taste for cuisine, Tasty Tales is a seven-part series that profiles the people, culture and history of different culinary traditions around the globe. The series delivers audiences an inside look at food from around the world and is an excellent addition to any programming line up.

Another programming highlight this year is On Island Time, a series that takes audiences on a journey to islands from the Arctic to the tropics and explores the people who lead a life that is bound closely to the ocean. Viewers will surely enjoy the visual vacation that is provided by this series.

MIPCOM 2014 is taking place in Cannes, France and runs from 13-16 October.

Africa

A selection of educational programming from DW Transtel was purchased by Channel ED, a new knowledge and education channel based in South Africa. Channel ED was launched in December 2013 and is produced  in Johannesburg at Urban Brew Studios. The channel is a part of a programming package offered by the Pan-African digital satellite broadcaster DStv, which is operated by the South African digital media company, MultiChoice. Channel ED targets young adults and will broadcast to 49 countries throughout Africa.

Asia

The Pakistani business news channel Business Plus has just purchased an extensive programming package from DW Transtel. The channel has also carried the popular DW format Euromaxx since November 2013. Starting in 2014, Business Plus will be broadcasting nationwide 50 hours of DW Transtel’s travel and culture programming. Around 12 million households in Pakistan have access to the channel.

DW has also added three new partners in the Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. New Rakaposhi, Garden Cable Network and Shaheen Cable Network provide television service to around 10,000 households in the city of Gilgit. The Pakistani channel Zaiqa TV will also be broadcasting DW’s lifestyle and fitness program In Good Shape via satellite to a potential audience of 12 million households.

Latin America

DW has a new TV partner in Peru. Since October 2013, RPP TV, the news and information channel from Gruppo RPP has been broadcasting DW’s  En forma, Claves, Enlaces and Reporteros en el mundo. Around 1 million subscribers of the Pay-TV service, Moviestar TV currently pick up RPP TV. The channel will also be available via terrestrial television until the end of 2014, which should considerably increase the exposure of DW (Latinoamérica) to potential audiences in Peru.

Europe

The mobile livestream from DW (Europe) is now available in the Republic of Moldova on the country’s leading mobile carrier, Orange Moldova.  Since the end of 2013 content from DW (Europe) can be uploaded on iOS and Android mobile devices with the Orange TV App. DW is also available on Orange Moldova’s television news package and online at tv.orange.md.

Online

The complete video archives from DW in German, English and Spanish can now be accessed on Google devices via a Smart-TV App.

DW(English) is also available on Google Newsstand and Google Play Kiosk. Google Newsstand for Android mobile phones can be downloaded at the Google Play Store.

Representatives from DW are at the 2014 NATPE conference in Miami to promote a selection of content from the DW Transtel programming catalog. Highlighted at the conference will be a wide variety of DW Transtel programming focused on Brazil in anticipation of the World Cup this summer. The multi-lingual programming package from DW Transtel will include a special in-depth look at Brazilian soccer culture with Joga Bonito – It’s all about Football!. The series illustrates how everyday Brazilians feel about hosting the World Cup and explains the important role soccer plays in Brazilian life.

Other highlights include Inside Brazil – A country on the move, which provides insight into how Brazil wants to present itself during the World Cup and important aspects social and technical development in Brazil. Features – All eyes on Brazil, delivers a colorful mix of popular Brazilian themes like Samba dancing, Copacabana beach culture, the wilds of the Amazon and exotic animals. Also featured with the package will be excerpts from DW’s award-winning environmental series Global Ideas with a focus on Brazil. The program covers important issues such as developing solar power and rain forest conservation.

DW Transtel offers international partners everything from documentaries to sports, music and children’s shows in English, Arabic, Russian, French, Portuguese and Spanish. The annual NATPE market and conference is the only event of its kind in the United States aimed at the global television market with over 7,000 content providers, executives and buyers expected to attend this year.