Bayern Munich coproduction surpassed 6M views on ZDF Mediathek
- The documentary series, produced by btf (bildundtonfabrik), is one ZDF Mediathek’s most successful documentary titles
- Features exclusive interviews and archival footage with football legends such as Lothar Matthäus, Jürgen Klinsmann, Mehmet Scholl, Mario Basler, and Stefan Effenberg, as well as renowned journalists
- The global appeal of FC Bayern Munich promises strong international interest.
- The five-part series explores the club’s dramatic era from 1996 to 2001—a period of sporting triumphs, internal conflicts, and legendary figures
OneGate Media today announces it has picked up the global distribution rights to the documentary series FC Hollywood. The series, which first aired on ZDF Mediathek on 10th January, has quickly become one of the most successful programmes on the platform this year, surpassing 6 million views since its launch
FC Hollywood dives into FC Bayern Munich’s most thrilling and turbulent period, from 1996 to 2001. The documentary captures the essence of the record-breaking team of the 1990s, a squad of unparalleled talent that often became its own biggest rival. This era gave birth to the infamous nickname “FC Hollywood.”
The five-part ZDF documentary offers an unparalleled insight into Bayern Munich—its struggles, internal chaos, and moments that are as humorous as they are dramatic.
Told by those who lived through it, the series features football icons such as Lothar Matthäus, Jürgen Klinsmann, Mehmet Scholl, Mario Basler, and Stefan Effenberg, alongside exclusive insights from journalists like Reinhold Beckmann, Patrizia Riekel, and Marcel Reif. Previously unreleased archival footage brings viewers straight back to this unforgettable time in football history.
Produced by btf (bildundtonfabrik) in co-production with ZDF, the series is supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and the FFA German Motion Picture Fund. The high-profile documentary is produced by Stepan Arapovic, Philipp Käßbohrer, and Matthias Murmann, directed by Nicolas Berse-Gilles, and written by Markus Brauckmann, Simone Schillinger, and Florian Nöthe.
OneGate Media will handle worldwide distribution, making the series available to broadcasters and streaming platforms around the globe.
Tania Reichert-Facilides, Managing Director of OneGate Media says “FC Hollywood is much more than just a classic football documentary. It tells a gripping story full of emotions, drama, and unexpected twists—all brought to life by some of footballs icons and experienced journalists. The outstanding streaming numbers on ZDF Mediathek confirm the demand for this kind of documentary and highlight the strong interest in this remarkable era of FC Bayern. We are confident that the documentary, powered by the global appeal of the FC Bayern Munich brand, will captivate audiences worldwide.”
Dr. Karolin Engl-Lubba (Head of Business, Legal Affairs & Commercial, btf) and Franziska Gärtner (Head of Acquisitions & Sales, btf) add:
“In line with btf’s innovative content strategy, we are further expanding our global reach through new distribution channels. Collaborating with international distributors is a key pillar of this strategy, and ‘FC Hollywood’ presents the perfect opportunity to strengthen our international presence and make the documentary accessible worldwide. With OneGate, we have found fantastic partners, and we look forward to working together!”
About OneGate Media
OneGate Media is a leading German distribution and licence trading company for film and television productions and belongs to the Studio Hamburg Group, one of the leading production companies in Germany, and is a sales subsidiary to the NDR / ARD network.
With six distribution divisions under one roof—including International Sales and Digital Distribution—OneGate Media offers a full-service approach to global content licensing.
About btf (bildundtonfabrik)
btf (bildundtonfabrik) is an independent film and television production company founded in 2012 by Philipp Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann. With headquarters in Cologne-Ehrenfeld and an office in Berlin-Kreuzberg, btf produces award-winning shows, series, films, documentaries, video games, and commercials—handling everything from concept development to post-production in-house. At its solar-powered Studio König, btf produces popular programs such as MAITHINK X (ZDFNeo) and The Carolin Kebekus Show (Das Erste). Internationally, btf has found success with titles like How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), King of Stonks, Big Mäck – Gangster und Gold, and Buba (Netflix). More recent releases include Pauline (Disney+), Perfekt Verpasst (Prime Video), and the short film Der dritte Kurzschluss (WDR/Das Erste & ARD Mediathek).
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