EXCLUSIVE: International exec Yi Qiao has taken a commissioner role at ZDF after leaving the German pubcaster’s studios arm.
The exec, well-known on the circuit for her international sales and financing acument, has joined Frank Seyberth’s team as Commissioning Editor, having previously been Director of Drama at ZDF Studios.
She will report into Seyberth, ZDF’s Head of Co-Production and International Fiction, whose team is known for investing in international dramas such as Around the World in 80 Days, Irish mystery series Harry Wild and Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Famous Five series among others. The unit also oversees a co-production pact with the BBC, and ZDF’s role in co-commissioning initiatives the European Alliance and the New8.
Qiao was previously part of Robert Franke’s at ZDF Studios, primarily investing in English-language scripted shows. Her new role has a similar international focus, but Seyberth’s team commissions for several linear slots and the ZDF streaming platform.
Qiao began her role earlier this month after announcing her exit from Franke’s team at ZDF Studios, where she built an English-language slate.
“Yi is the first member of our editorial team who has a background in sales,” Seyberth told Deadline. He said the hire reflects “current market dynamics,” where an “endless variety of financing options” are on the table for broadcasters.
“These extraordinary shows will need good teamwork,” he added. “We as an editorial team and as a broadcaster have proven to be capable of those necessities and provide the right skill set in this regards. As our goal is to bring the world to Germany, the more our commissioners are familiar with distinctive cultural environments, the better.”
Prior to her five years at ZDF Studios, Qiao spent eight years at Red Arrow Studios, rising from a junior position to a UK-based senior sales role at the ProSiebenSat.1 Media company, which is now part of Seven.One Studios.
ZDF recently launched a division that focuses purely on audience behavior, which Seyberth said was “helping us all to navigate different aspects of the fiction portfolio.”
He told Deadline that shows made directly for streaming and those still aimed at ZDF’s linear network slots were currently working well, but has seen the need the future-proof with more internationally-minded execs with global players now impacting the local market.
“Luckily, we are in the position that we are successful both ways, but we are aware that the future ‘point of sale’ is streaming, and that in this field the competition is not only limited to our German territory,” he said.
As such ZDF’s international co-productions team is in regular contact with colleagues ordering domestic drama and comedy, with both side reporting into ZDF Program Director Nadine Bilke.
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