Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence, produced by The Sun, with support from production partner ITN Productions, has been licensed to Channel 4 for first broadcast in what is thought to be the UK’s first licensing deal between a newspaper and a broadcaster, described by Sun publisher News UK as “an innovative new deal.”
Following a year-long investigation by The Sun’s award-winning reporter, Rob Pattinson, the documentary uncovers bombshell evidence around Christian B, the only remaining suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Featuring interviews with Rob Pattinson, The Sun’s Foreign Editor Nick Parker, contributing journalist Jutta Rabe, Bild Journalist Kai Feldhaus, and rape survivor Hazel Behan who still believes her attacker was Christian B despite a not guilty verdict which may allow him to walk free. The documentary explores previously unseen evidence in both cases against the suspect known as Christian B.
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Channel 4 will premiere Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence on May 7th at 9pm on Channel 4 and across its streaming platforms. An alternative version of the film will later be made available across The Sun’s YouTube and social channels.
The Sun has put video at the heart of its journalism, engaging new audiences producing documentaries as well as innovative original formats that have picked up sponsorship. Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence is the first deal between The Sun and a broadcaster to license Sun content.
Jon Lloyd, Director of Video for The Sun, said: “This has been a truly unique project to work on. It’s been refreshing to produce such high-quality, ground-breaking content whilst also exploring brand new ways of working with key partners. The process with both ITN Productions and Channel 4 has been hugely collaborative and the final film a tribute to the incredible journalism at its heart.
“I am really looking forward to exploring further opportunities across our rapidly-expanding video portfolio, fostering new relationships and continuing to deliver fresh, original content across all platforms.”
Victoria Newton, Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, said: “It’s fantastic to see The Sun partner with Channel 4 and ITN on this new project. We set out to put video at the core of The Sun’s award-winning journalism to engage and captivate new audiences while continuing to break genuinely big and significant news stories and Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence achieves exactly that.”
Ian Rumsey, Managing Director of Content for ITN, added: “We’re pleased to be partnering with the Sun, and working with Channel 4, on this important investigation that brings to light new evidence in this unsolved case, which continues to have huge public interest around the world.”
Madelaine, the daughter of Liverpool native GP Kate McCann and Scottish cardiologist Gerry McCann disappeared while on holiday with her parents in Portugal in 2007. The mystery has gone on to be one of the most notorious, and heavily publicised, missing person cases in the world.
Adam Vandermark is the commissioning editor at Channel 4. The executive producer is Jon Lloyd, the producer is Rob Pattinson and the director is Max Molyneux.
