Produced in association with Talos Films
(Cannes, FR – April 10, 2019) – Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, announces the greenlight by Travel Channel (US) and T+E (Canada) of The Witches of Salem, a new four-part docudrama series about America’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. The series will be produced by Saloon Media in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel, and T+E.
The Salem witch trials is one of the most gripping real-life dramas in history. It began in February 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. In just 220 days, 200 were accused and 20 were executed. It was a period of mass hysteria that opens a window into the darkest side of human nature.
The Witches of Salem (4 x 60’) draws on extensive historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are still susceptible to the same hysteria today.
“We are excited to produce this docudrama about the Salem witch trials, a story that has captivated audiences throughout time,” says Michael Kot, Managing Director, Saloon Media. “The drama of this real-life story, combined with the docudrama format, will undoubtedly create must-watch TV.”
“We’re thrilled Travel Channel and T+E are bringing such a gripping series to their viewers,” say Co-Presidents of Talos Films, Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs. “The Witches of Salem is a jaw-dropping tale from history that resonates with the present day, where stoking fear, and deliberate misrepresentations still have the ability to cause hysteria and terrible repercussions.”
“The real-life story of the Salem witch trials – which involved literal ‘witch hunts’ and ‘fake news’ – has never been more relevant,” says Jane Latman, General Manager, Travel Channel. “This is not only an important part of our past, it is a glimpse into how hysteria can completely change the way we think. This show will capture the terror, mystery, deception and the intrigue from one of the largest witch hunts in history.”
The Witches of Salem is Executive Produced by Michael Kot, Julie Chang, Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Executive in Charge for Travel Channel is Charles Nordlander and the Head of Original Content for T+E is Sam Linton. The series is produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel (US), and T+E (Canada). International content distributor Blue Ant International Ltd has exclusive worldwide rights to the series.
Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator. From our production houses around the world, we create content for multiple genres including factual, factual entertainment, short-form digital series and kids programming. Our distribution business, Blue Ant International, offers a catalogue of 3,500+ hours of content, including the largest 4K natural history offering on the market. Blue Ant Media’s international channel business offers a portfolio of media brands such as Love Nature (International), ZooMoo Networks (International), Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth (Canada), Blue Ant Entertainment (International), Blue Ant Extreme (International) and HGTV (New Zealand). Blue Ant Media is headquartered in Toronto, with operations in Los Angeles, Singapore, Auckland, Dunedin, London, Washington, Sydney, Beijing and Taipei. www.blueantmedia.com.
About Travel Channel
For the bold, daring and spontaneous; those adventurers who embrace the thrill of the unexpected; those risk-takers who aren’t afraid of a little mystery; if you’re up for anything, down for whatever, and above all, love great stories, journey on to Travel Channel. We’re more than you expect and everything you didn’t know you were looking for. Reaching more than 82 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Travel Channel is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment spanning 220 countries and territories, whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
About Talos Films
Talos Films is a full-service production company based in New York City that develops and produces unscripted and scripted content that can be viewed on all media platforms around the world. Talos Films’ principals are Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. They have a proven track record of success both as Executive Producers and Network Executives in documentary, factual entertainment and scripted content. Talos Films recently produced the breakout series The Lake Erie Murders for Investigation Discovery and the award-winning, critically acclaimed docu-drama America’s War on Drugs for History Channel. The company is currently in production on a documentary for HBO, a returning series for ID and two series for Travel Channel. Talos Films is also producing projects with Kelly Rippa and Mark Consuolo’s Milojo Productions and developing a scripted project with Issa Rae’s Color Creative. www.talosfilms.com
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