Non-fiction specialist Off The Fence – perhaps best known for award-winning feature "My Octopus Teacher" – is searching for a new home outside of German media giant ZDF Studios, which acquired the company in 2019.

In response to ContentAsia's queries, Off the Fence CEO, Bo Stehmeier, said this afternoon that "despite the joint efforts of everybody at Off The Fence and shareholder ZDF Studios, we were not able to avoid this situation. We are in current negotiations with some interested parties and we hope to find a new home and partner".

ZDF Studios has not yet commented on the decision.

Stehmeier said the company "has experienced a time that has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging for all businesses in our sector on a global scale".

"OTF has an unparalleled 30-year legacy with well-established and growing interests in the traditional production and distribution of television with some of the world’s most prestigious awards and accolades continuing to stream in," he added. 

"Combined with this, OTF has also realigned itself after the pressures of the pandemic to meet the shifting demands of a future content world through building infrastructure to launch digital first, FAST, AVOD and YouTube strands to its business."

"The work of diversifying revenue streams, strengthening global partnerships, co-productions and funded developments with brands, philanthropic agencies and building a digital infrastructure has created a proposition that is, in our view, a very attractive vehicle for global partners with a vision of scale and quality."

ZDF Enterprises announced its agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Off the Fence in January 2019.