ZDF Studios Acquired Rights to Be With Zee
The distributor has joined forces with Vérité International to handle global sales for the new animated preschool series.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Animation
Live Poll
Do you prefer children's television programs that emphasize emotional learning and mindfulness tools?
ZDF Studios has secured international co-distribution rights for the preschool animated series Be With Zee. The company will now jointly manage global sales for the show alongside Vérité International Distribution.
Why it matters
This partnership expands the reach of a show co-commissioned by public broadcasters across multiple territories. By managing global distribution, ZDF Studios intends to localize the content into several languages to increase its international appeal.
The inaugural season comprises 52 episodes with a 6-minute runtime, while a second season of 52 episodes is currently in production. ZDF Studios plans to provide localization in English, French, Spanish, and German.
The players
ZDF Studios
This German-based media company is a subsidiary of the public broadcaster ZDF and focuses on the distribution and production of international television content.
Vérité Films
Based in Canada, this production company specializes in creating content for television and digital platforms.
Matt Haworth
He is the creator of the preschool animated series Be With Zee.
The details
Created by Matt Haworth, the series is currently in production through a partnership between Vérité Films, Oddly Quiet, and Media Tech Productions. While ZDF Studios will handle European and selected global markets, co-production territories including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand remain under separate management.
Timeline
ZDF Studios acquired the co-distribution rights on September 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This deal reflects the ongoing industry trend of using co-commissioned cross-border content models to secure diverse funding across multiple national markets. By sharing distribution responsibilities, studios can better manage the rising costs of producing high-quality animation for global platforms.
Viewers will eventually be able to access the show across various digital platforms and potentially in their local language. The planned localization into four languages ensures that the content will be accessible to a wide international audience.
The takeaway
Collaborative distribution deals help smaller production teams ensure their content reaches global audiences on digital platforms. Families can expect to see more of these co-produced shows as broadcasters prioritize international scalability.
Further reading
For more on the current state of global media, visit the Animation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by C21Media.
Live Poll
Do you prefer children's television programs that emphasize emotional learning and mindfulness tools?
