A&E Television Networks (AETN), parent company of History(tm), A&E® and BIO®, and ZDF Enterprises today announced the renewal of their existing programming and co-production deal for three years. The agreement, originally reached in 2005, includes co-production and program acquisition components, as well as a new syndication representation deal.

The agreement calls for ZDF Enterprises to acquire non-fiction programming from AETN International's History(tm) catalogue for the top-rated ZDF History programming block, which broadcasts weekly on Sunday nights. The block is programmed under the editorial control of ZDF programmers with content provided by both ZDF and History (US).

In addition, The History Channel® in Germany will acquire local history programming from ZDF Enterprises for broadcast on its service, as well as biography and lifestyle programming for The Biography Channel®. Amongst the programs are the two-parter "The Last Voyage of the Gustloff" about the largest disaster in naval history with a death toll of 9000 and the series "Final Days of an Icon" which examines the lives of 13 historical figures and their deaths under mysterious circumstances.

Through a third component of the agreement, History (US) and ZDF Enterprises have extended their successful co-production partnership to produce nine contemporary and ancient history programs over the next three years for broadcast on ZDF in Germany and on History in the United States.

In the final part of the deal, AETN International has named ZDF Enterprises as its syndication representative for German-speaking Europe for Modern Marvels. The longest running series on the history of technology, Modern Marvels covers some of the world's most amazing architectural and engineering structures, scientific discoveries and social wonders. These are the stories of the visionaries who defied the commonplace with their extraordinary creations. Produced for History, the Modern Marvels catalogue features over 400 hours of programming.

Alexander Coridass, President and CEO, ZDF Enterprises: "The combination of AETN, ZDF and ZDF Enterprises programming expertise is synonymous to high-caliber programming for audiences around the globe. We are very proud of this longstanding and fruitful partnership of global players in the most significant fields of the television industry. In this very competitive time of digital changes we are pleased that our close relationship with this successful and reliable partner is still going strong."

"ZDF Enterprises has been an important production and distribution partner for AETN through the years, and we are very pleased to extend our relationship by appointing them as syndication representative for Modern Marvels in German-speaking Europe," said Sean Cohan, Sr. Vice President, International, AETN. "This strategic relationship has always been beneficial to both parties and I have no doubt the partnership will continue to thrive."