Narrative, accessible, not academic. History told through stories.
What this format covers
●Historical topics with clear narrative arc
●Contemporary history (20th/21st century preferred)
●Cultural history only if historically anchored
●European perspective desired
What this format does NOT want
●Pure cultural formats without historical depth
●Current affairs reportage without historical reference
●Investigative formats
●Purely scientific topics without societal connection
Visual expectations
Archival material, reenactments (restrained), location visits, experts on site
Expected exposé structure
Logline
Treatment text with historical main strand
Protagonists/witnesses
Visual execution
Broadcaster fit
Example productions
Geheimnisvolle Orte
Krieg und Holocaust — Der deutsche Abgrund
Die Europa-Saga
Napoleons Erbe
Editorial notes
Contemporary strand as coda possible, not as equal narrative strand. Co-productions ARTE/ZDF or ARTE/ORF preferred. Plan for bilingual version (DE/FR).
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The Pitch Doctor generates a format-compliant exposé tailored to ARTE History Light's exact editorial expectations.