Terra Mater Studios

What Terra Mater Studios does

Terra Mater Studios is a Vienna-based premium factual production company founded in 2011 and wholly owned by Red Bull GmbH. It produces nature, science, and history documentaries, feature-length theatrical films, TV series, and short-form digital content distributed globally. The company has built a catalog of more than 300 hours of content and an award record exceeding 500 international prizes and 1,000 nominations, anchored by an Academy Awards shortlist ('The Ivory Game', 2017) and a Sundance Audience Award ('Sea of Shadows', 2019). Its productions are commissioned and distributed by a diversified mix of broadcasters (ServusTV as primary anchor in the DACH region, NDR, PBS, ARTE), streaming platforms (Netflix, National Geographic Documentary Films, Curiosity Stream), and conservation organizations (FOUR PAWS).

The company's production infrastructure is built around owned, state-of-the-art post-production facilities in Vienna — including a 14-seat 4K cinema with Dolby Atmos, 7 AVID Media Composers, 2 AVID Symphony Systems, 8K-capable editing pipelines, an AVID Pro Tools post-production audio suite, and specialized field capture (military-rated thermal cameras, 4K high-speed imaging, endoscopes, electron microscopy, and underwater rigs). It operates a dedicated Terra Mater WILD channel on ServusTV, a YouTube presence for short-form nature content, and the German-language Terra Mater Magazine.

Revenue is generated primarily through multi-territory content licensing to broadcasters and streamers, theatrical distribution, commissioned co-productions with public broadcasters (NDR Naturfilm, PBS/WNET, ARTE) and conservation NGOs, dedicated channel revenue, press footage licensing, and corporate project services. The company maintains a wholly-owned German subsidiary (Terra Mater Studios Germany GmbH, established 2022, headquartered in Munich with a Berlin office) focused on factual entertainment formats and scripted/unscripted features for the German market. Sustainability credentials — including Austrian Ecolabel UZ76 certification, Ökobusiness certification, and a self-imposed Green Producing Criteria framework since 2022 — are positioned as a competitive differentiator with European public broadcasters and NGO commissioning partners.

Name

Terra Mater Studios

Legal name

Terra Mater Studios GmbH

Website

https://terramater.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Terra Mater Studios is a Vienna-based premium factual production company and wholly-owned Red Bull subsidiary that produces nature, science, and conservation documentaries for global broadcasters, streaming platforms, theatrical release, and conservation-NGO commissioning partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Documentary Film Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Finished Program Sales & Window Licensing (Domestic/International) (MPABANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC), Footage & Stock Media Licensing (Archival/Newsreel/Stock) (MPADALAD), Archive & Library Footage Licensing (News, Sports, Entertainment) (MPABANAC)

Keywords

• Nature documentary production
• Factual programming
• Feature documentary film
• Wildlife filmmaking
• Content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. TV Licensing and Broadcasting: Licensing content to TV broadcasters including ServusTV, NDR Naturfilm, PBS, National Geographic Channels for broadcast in specific territories.
2. Streaming Platform Distribution: Content distributed through streaming platforms including Netflix, National Geographic Documentary Films, Curiosity Stream.
3. Theatrical Releases: Feature documentaries released theatrically, including 'Sea of Shadows' and 'The Ivory Game'.
4. Press Content Licensing: Members of press can license content for Communication Use (non-commercial viewing, copying, sharing) under specific license terms for editorial coverage.
5. YouTube and Digital Content: Exclusive short-form videos about nature, conservation and environmental topics distributed via company's YouTube channel.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Terra Mater Studios is a production company that creates premium factual programming — nature documentaries, feature films, TV series, and science/history documentaries — for sale and licensing to TV broadcasters (ServusTV, NDR, PBS), streaming platforms (Netflix, National Geographic Documentary Films, Curiosity Stream), and theatrical distributors. The company also offers corporate video production services, press editorial content licensing, a German-language Terra Mater Magazine subscription, and operates the Terra Mater WILD dedicated channel on ServusTV.

Product overview

Terra Mater Studios is a premium factual programming production company specializing in nature documentaries, feature films, TV series, and digital content. The company operates as a unified production house offering productions across multiple formats: blue-chip nature and wildlife documentaries (including award-winning features like Sea of Shadows, The Ivory Game, and Patrick and the Whale), science and history documentaries (Star Chasers of Senegal, Viennese Water), and conservation-focused content. The portfolio spans over 300 hours of content with over 500 international awards. Distribution is achieved through multiple channels: the Terra Mater WILD channel on ServusTV, the company's YouTube channel for short-form content, and the Terra Mater Magazine publication. As a Red Bull subsidiary founded in 2011 and headquartered in Vienna, the company also operates Terra Mater Studios Germany as a subsidiary focused on German market productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Terra Mater WILD: A dedicated channel available on various platforms in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland featuring nature and wildlife content.

Products and services

• Nature Documentary Productions (Terra Mater Studios Productions portfolio) Core production portfolio of blue-chip nature, science, and history documentary programming spanning primetime TV series, specials, and feature films. Produced for license to broadcasters (ServusTV, NDR, PBS), streaming platforms (Netflix, National Geographic Documentary Films, Curiosity Stream), and theatrical distributors worldwide.
• Sea of Shadows 2019 feature documentary thriller (runtime 106 min) following undercover investigators and conservationists working to rescue the vaquita porpoise from extinction in Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Co-produced with Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions and Malaika Pictures.
• The Ivory Game 2016 feature undercover documentary (runtime 116 min) exposing the dark world of ivory trafficking and its role in driving elephants toward extinction. Co-produced with Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions and Malaika Pictures; distributed on Netflix.
• Patrick and the Whale 2023 feature documentary (runtime 73 min) following diver Patrick Dykstra's quest to reconnect with a sperm whale. Co-produced in association with PBS and The WNET Group, contributing to the creation of the world's first sperm whale reserve in Dominica.
• Hippo King Nature documentary (runtime 52 min) revealing the life story of a hippo king in Zambia's Luangwa Valley. Co-produced with NDR Naturfilm/Doclights, Skyland Productions, and Into Nature Productions, and certified under the Austrian Ecolabel UZ76 for sustainable production.
• KATAVI: Africa's Fallen Paradise Three-part nature documentary series (2025) covering Katavi National Park in Tanzania, Africa. Emmy-nominated in 2026 for Outstanding Nature Documentary at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
• DETHRONED Documentary (streaming release March 2026 on Curiosity Stream) exposing big cat exploitation across Peru, South Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. Co-created with Four Corners Film & Photography and commissioned by FOUR PAWS as an international animal welfare organization.
• Terra Mater WILD Channel Dedicated nature documentary channel available on ServusTV across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Aggregates Terra Mater's wildlife and nature content for branded linear/streaming distribution to German-speaking audiences.
• Corporate Projects B2B service offering customized corporate video production, project submission, and licensing/exploitation of audio-visual content for business clients. Direct route via the corporate-projects page on terramater.at and [email protected].
• Terra Mater Magazine Subscription-based German-language magazine offering in-depth insights into the natural world, available via magazinabo.com. Provides consumers with companion reading on nature, conservation, and environmental topics covered in Terra Mater productions.
• Press Content Licensing Self-serve press licensing service for editorial use of Terra Mater footage and content clips under a 3-month Communication Use license. Members of the press license content for non-commercial editorial coverage. Footage sales handled via [email protected].

Quantifiable outcome

• The Ivory Game helped convince state leaders to impose a nationwide ban on the ivory trade
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core, key and supporting.

• FOUR PAWSmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Commissioning partner for 'DETHRONED' documentary exposing big cat exploitation. FOUR PAWS is an international animal welfare organization that commissioned the documentary for awareness raising on streaming platforms.
• Appian Way Productions (Leonardo DiCaprio)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partnership for high-profile conservation documentaries including 'The Ivory Game' (2016) and 'Sea of Shadows' (2019). Leonardo DiCaprio's production company provides star power, additional funding, and distribution reach for environmental documentaries with global impact potential.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for 'The Ivory Game' documentary. Netflix provides global streaming reach to millions of subscribers worldwide.
• National Geographic Documentary FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPresentation partner for 'Sea of Shadows'. National Geographic's brand recognition and global distribution network amplify documentary reach to environmentally engaged audiences.
• Doclights / NDR NaturfilmmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for documentaries including 'Hippo King'. NDR Naturfilm is part of Germany's public broadcaster ARD, providing production funding and broadcast access to German-speaking markets.
• The WNET Group / PBSmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production and broadcast partner for productions including 'Mara: Rebirth', 'Patrick and the Whale'. PBS provides access to US public television audience and educational markets.
• ARTE France / ARTE G.E.I.E.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-production partner for documentaries. Franco-German broadcaster provides European distribution and production funding for high-quality documentary content.
• Skyland ProductionskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for 'Hippo King'. Contributes production expertise and resources to documentary projects.
• Into Nature ProductionskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for 'Hippo King'. Collaborative production arrangement for nature documentary content.
• Malaika PictureskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for 'Sea of Shadows' and 'The Ivory Game'. Contributes to documentary production with focus on environmental storytelling.
• WildLeakssupportingOthersFeatured in 'The Ivory Game' as a freedom-of-information group working to expose wildlife crime. Collaboration is thematic rather than commercial.
• Four Corners Film & PhotographykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of 'DETHRONED' documentary alongside Terra Mater Studios. Three-year production collaboration investigating commercial breeding and wildlife trafficking of big cats.
• Wildlife Films (Dereck and Beverly Joubert)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for 'Mara: Rebirth'. Award-winning wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert bring decades of documentary experience and National Geographic association.
• Tikki Hywood FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured organization in 'Pangolin – Journey to Freedom'. Zimbabwe-based wildlife rehabilitation center providing expertise and access for pangolin conservation documentary.
• Curiosity StreammajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming distribution partner for 'DETHRONED' documentary. Science and nature-focused streaming platform reaches audiences interested in conservation content.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Geographic Studios: In-house production arm of National Geographic Partners, producing blue-chip nature documentaries and serving as both a co-producer and competitor for premium wildlife content. Functions as both buyer and producer in Terra Mater's ecosystem.
• Red Bull Media House: Sibling entity under Red Bull GmbH, producing sports, lifestyle, and adventure content across TV, digital, and print. Adjacent rather than direct competitor — shares ownership and brand, but operates in a different genre vertical.
• Warner Bros. Discovery (Discovery Natural History): Owns Discovery Channel and produces major natural history franchises. A broad incumbent in the factual/wildlife distribution space and a potential competitor for both commissions and talent.

Direct peers

• BBC Studios Natural History Unit: BBC Studios' Natural History Unit (Bristol) is the world's pre-eminent nature documentary production operation, producing Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Dynasties. It is the most direct competitor to Terra Mater in premium nature/wildlife factual programming for global broadcasters and streamers.
• Plimsoll Productions: UK-based independent producer of premium factual and natural history content for Apple TV+, BBC, and Netflix (Tiny World, Night on Earth). Closely comparable on factual/nature focus and blue-chip streamer relationships.
• Doclights / NDR Naturfilm: Production arm of NDR (German public broadcaster ARD) and a current co-production partner of Terra Mater on titles such as Hippo King. Directly comparable in nature documentary production for the German-speaking market.
• Wildstar Films: Independent factual production company specializing in natural history and wildlife programming for BBC, Netflix, and Channel 4. Comparable scale and genre focus, with similar award-circuit positioning.
• Silverback Films: Founded by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey (former NHU heads), Silverback produces Our Planet and similar blue-chip nature series for Netflix. Highly comparable: premium factual, global distribution, wildlife focus, award-driven brand.

Emerging players

• Wildgaze Films: Independent UK factual production company behind several high-profile nature documentaries. Smaller and more selective in output but competes for similar commissions and talent.
• Hauteville Productions: France-based factual production company producing premium nature and wildlife documentaries, including for European public broadcasters. Geographic and stylistic peer in the European premium factual market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@terramater
• Facebookfacebook.com/terramaterstudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/terra-mater-studios-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/terramater

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Terra Mater Studios