AB lines up 'Waterloo' miniseries

PARIS -- AB Group, France's biggest pay TV group, is beefing up its production activity and purchase of premium content. The organization, which works 16 channels in addition to brokering TV privileges, is developing "Waterloo," an British-language historic three-parter, which is created with worldwide partners. Richard Maroko, AB Group's mind of programming and acquisition, stated he's in talks with ZDF Businesses, the distribution arm from the German pubcaster, and French pubcaster France Televisions in the future aboard. The miniseries is allocated between $ten million and $15 million. The Fight of Waterloo, which happened in 1815 near The city, saw in france they military of Napoleon Bonaparte undertake the British-brought allied forces, commanded through the Duke of Wellington. The defeat from the French military put an finish to Napoleon's reign. " 'Waterloo' is going to be full of epic fight moments and will also be very ambitious when it comes to renovation, decor and costumes," Maroko told Variety. It will likely be shipped in 2015 to mark the 200th anniversary from the fight.The organization can also be creating a TV adaptation of Frederic Dard's popular crime books, "Dallas,Inch which focuses on the adventures of the French police captain. Released between 1949 and 2001, the Dallas anthology is among the best-selling French novel number of all occasions, getting offered an believed 200,000 copies. Maroko stated the main one-hour drama series has been produced for primetime and the organization is within talks having a French network. "We are searching to produce strong franchises to enhance our catalog," stated Maroko.AB Group, which signed an offer with Vital last year, is ongoing to enhance its purchase of American hit drama series. Recent pick-ups include "Hell on Wheels," "Flashpoint" and "Hot in Cleveland," in addition to Irish crime drama "Jack Taylor" and Austrian cop series "Go Forward.Inch Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com