Talesmith Limited

What Talesmith Limited does

Talesmith Limited is a London-based premium factual production company founded in 2014 by four-time Emmy-winning filmmaker Martin Williams, alongside Creative Director Ruth Roberts and Managing Director Mark Wright. The company produces natural history documentaries, environmental series, branded corporate films, and immersive experiences for global broadcasters (Disney+, National Geographic, BBC, Discovery, ITV, Sky, Smithsonian, CBC, ARTE, Al Jazeera, Zee, Roku), corporate clients (Anglo American, The Royal Foundation), and themed entertainment operators (Mercury Towers Malta, 11 SKIES Hong Kong, Changbaishan National Park China).

The company's product surface spans multi-episode documentary series (Secrets of the Penguins, Gladiators, Lions: Now or Never, Takaya: Lone Wolf), branded sustainability content (Sustainability by Design, Future Smart Mining), and immersive formats including VR (David Attenborough's Hold the World VR, FlySpy), AR experiences (The Green Planet AR Experience, President Zelensky's Hologram), and six-degrees-of-freedom flying theatres (Odyssey Malta, Timeless Flight Hong Kong, Flying By Chang Bai Mountain). Underlying production technology includes volumetric capture studios (70-138 camera rigs), live holographic transmission, 8K cinematography, FPV drones, helicopter cinematography, photoreal CGI, AR/VR delivery, and slow-motion digital enhancement. The company is albert-certified for sustainable production.

Talesmith generates revenue primarily through commissioned content production fees from broadcasters and streamers on a per-series/per-film basis, supplemented by branded content production for corporates and themed entertainment contracts delivered through the Flyride Films joint venture with Moonraker VFX. Distribution is handled via direct commissioning relationships and partnerships with international distributors (ITV Studios, Cineflix Rights). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated project-by-project. The company operates a sales-led go-to-market targeting premium factual buyers seeking differentiated, award-winning content, with marketing driven by awards recognition (Emmys, Canadian Academy, Realscreen Global 100), industry PR, and an active social media presence.

Name

Talesmith Limited

Legal name

Talesmith Limited

Website

https://talesmith.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Talesmith is a London-based premium factual production company founded in 2014 that produces Emmy-winning natural history documentaries, immersive VR/AR experiences, and six-degrees-of-freedom flying theatre attractions for global broadcasters, streamers, and themed entertainment operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Television and Film Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Docuseries & Episodic Nonfiction (TV/Streaming) (MPADADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Real-Time Environment/Asset Creation & Photogrammetry (MPAHADAI)

Keywords

• Natural history documentaries
• Factual television production
• Immersive VR experiences
• Flying theatre attractions
• Augmented reality productions

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Content Production: Talesmith produces commissioned documentary, natural history, and factual entertainment content for major broadcasters and streaming platforms. Revenue comes from production fees, co-production arrangements, and distribution deals with clients including National Geographic, Disney+, BBC, Discovery, ITV, and international broadcasters. Projects are commissioned on a per-series/per-film basis.
2. Branded Content Production: Production of branded corporate content such as the Anglo American sustainability films, commissioned by corporate clients to communicate their sustainability initiatives and corporate responsibility programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Talesmith Limited is a London-based premium factual production company that produces commissioned natural history documentaries, factual entertainment series, branded sustainability content, and immersive experiences (AR, VR, holographic, and flying theatre) for global broadcasters, streaming platforms, and visitor attractions. Revenue is generated project-by-project through production fees, co-production arrangements, and distribution deals with clients including Disney+, National Geographic, BBC, Discovery, ITV, Sky, and The Roku Channel. The company deploys proprietary techniques in volumetric capture, holographic broadcasting, CGI, FPV drone cinematography, and motion-platform engineering to deliver award-winning content.

Product overview

Talesmith Limited is a London-based premium factual production company that operates as a multi-format content studio producing documentaries, branded content, and immersive experiences. Their portfolio includes Emmy Award-winning natural history documentary series (Secrets of the Penguins, Gladiators), award-winning VR experiences (David Attenborough's Hold the World VR), augmented reality productions (The Green Planet AR Experience, President Zelensky's Hologram), flying theatre attractions (Odyssey Malta, Timeless Flight Hong Kong), Shark Week documentaries, and branded sustainability content. The company differentiates through technological innovation in volumetric capture, holographic production, immersive AR/VR, and advanced cinematography.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secrets of the Penguins Three-part landmark natural history documentary series exploring extraordinary penguin lives across the globe, from Antarctic emperors to desert-dwelling species. Features world-first penguin behaviors captured across nine locations using 14 different camera systems. Commissioned by National Geographic and Disney+ as global broadcasters.
• Gladiators Natural history series revealing the killer secrets and tactics of nature's toughest fighters across four ecosystems, narrated by Sean Bean. Features innovative digital enhancement technology for slow-motion wildlife footage. Won awards including Best Series at Wildlife Conservation Film Festival.
• David Attenborough's Hold the World VR World-first interactive virtual reality experience allowing users to handle rare objects inside the Natural History Museum while a Sir David Attenborough hologram offers unique insight. Combines interactive video game technology with TV documentary filmmaking.
• The Green Planet AR Experience Augmented reality experience allowing users to accompany Sir David Attenborough on an immersive journey into the secret kingdom of plants. Features volumetric capture technology with 70 cameras and 5G-powered immersive delivery. Scored 96% audience approval as the UK's number one immersive experience.
• President Zelensky's Hologram Groundbreaking holographic address production that captured and beamed President Zelensky from wartime Ukraine to global tech conferences and smartphone users worldwide via AR technology. First wartime leader hologram since Princess Leia.
• FlySpy Cutting-edge short VR thriller film from the perspective of a fly-sized spy drone. Hybrid of traditional film and virtual reality with two versions: one for traditional screen and one for VR headsets with 270-degree immersive experience. Won awards at AZIFF, RIFF, SENE, and SSFF.
• Odyssey Malta Immersive flying theatre ride experience in Malta featuring six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, cinematic drone footage, and photoreal CGI. Combines entertainment with education through storytelling and historical narrative. Won AV Awards Themed Entertainment Project of the Year.
• Timeless Flight Hong Kong 4D motion flying theatre attraction at 11 SKIES Hong Kong featuring cinematic FPV drone footage and helicopter cinematography. Guests experience flight across 100 years of Hong Kong history with motion technology and dynamic seat simulation.
• Games That Rock the World Four-part documentary series for The Roku Channel exploring video gaming's most iconic genres. Produced in partnership with Gracious Films with episodes on Space Wars, Finish 'Em fighting games, Jump and Run, and Fantasy Worlds.
• The Real T.rex with Chris Packham BBC documentary redefining the iconic dinosaur using latest paleontological discoveries, LIDAR scans, CGI reconstruction, and pioneering infrasonic sound design. Combines drama reconstruction with documentary storytelling.
• Takaya: Lone Wolf Documentary following wildlife photographer Cheryl Alexander's five-year bond with a lone wolf on a remote Canadian island. Won Canadian Academy Award and three Leos, with Grierson Award nomination.
• Lions: Now or Never Two-part documentary for Zee Plus exploring lion conservation debate in Africa and India, covering trophy hunting controversy and human-lion coexistence, filmed across Zimbabwe, India and Kenya. Won Cannes World Film Festival.
• Earthrise Multi award-winning environmental documentary series for Al Jazeera exploring eco-friendly solutions to planetary threats, featuring six episodes filmed across the world from Patagonia to Bangladesh.
• Shark Week: Tropic Jaws Discovery Channel Shark Week documentary investigating great white shark adaptation to tropical waters in Indonesia, featuring local conservationist Madison Stewart and shark scientist Dr. Craig O'Connell.
• Shark Week: Jaws Vs The Blob Discovery Channel documentary investigating juvenile great white sharks at Guadalupe Island fleeing oceanic heatwave 'The Blob'. Features innovative underwater screen projection and Jaws Rover ROV technology.
• Sustainability by Design Branded documentary film for Anglo American exploring mining sustainability technologies including digital twin mines, automated AI hydrogen trucks, and water reduction technology at Quellaveco in Peru.
• Future Smart Mining: The Reality Branded documentary for Anglo American showcasing precision mining technologies, data analytics, and sustainability innovations transforming the mining industry's physical and societal footprint.
• Flying By Chang Bai Mountain Five-minute flying theatre film for Changbaishan National Park visitor centre in China. Includes two-minute pre-show using smart suspension seat technology with 4K Dome screen, physical effects (mist, wind, scent), and 19 shots blended into a single seamless flight.
• United for Wildlife Charity film commissioned by HRH Prince of Wales' Royal Foundation to open the 2024 United for Wildlife conference on ending the illegal wildlife trade.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secrets of the Penguins won two Emmy Awards at 47th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards including Outstanding Nature Documentary
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability11 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ARHT MediacoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided cutting-edge technology to create, transmit and receive a live holographic image of President Zelensky. Used in the historic first holographic address from a wartime leader.
• EvercoastcoreTechnology or IntegrationCreated an avatar for smartphone users worldwide using a 'volcap' studio for the President Zelensky holographic address project.
• Moonraker VFXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for VFX production on flying theatre experiences including Odyssey Malta, Timeless Flight Hong Kong, Flying By Chang Bai Mountain, and Future Smart Mining. Created stunning photo-real VFX to enhance live action footage.
• SarnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for flying theatre productions including Odyssey Malta and Timeless Flight Hong Kong. Sarner designed and built the wider themed entertainment experiences.
• Simtec SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationDesigned and delivered the flying theatre technology including six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform for Odyssey Malta attraction.
• Factory 42coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partner for world-first VR and AR experiences including David Attenborough's Hold the World VR and The Green Planet AR Experience.
• Dream Reality InteractivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for David Attenborough's Hold the World VR experience, bringing together interactive video game technology and TV documentary.
• BreakOut ProductionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian co-producer for Shark Week 2024: Sydney Harbour Shark Invasion production.
• Gracious FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time gaming documentary producers and partnership for Games That Rock the World documentary series for The Roku Channel.
• CineflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing co-production partner for multiple productions including Takaya: Lone Wolf, The Real T.rex with Chris Packham, and various documentary projects.
• Cineflix RightsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for The Real T.rex with Chris Packham alongside Discovery Networks.
• ITV StudioscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor raising finance for Shark Week productions and ongoing content distribution partner.
• Flat Cap FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer association partner for FlySpy VR short film.
• Flyride FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture company formed between Talesmith and Moonraker VFX to co-produce the Chang Bai Mountain flying theatre experience.
• Offspring FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped in association with Talesmith for Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family.
• Oxford FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced Prince William: A Planet For Us All in association with Talesmith.
• PEL CreativeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClient for Chang Bai Mountain flying theatre film produced for new visitor centre.
• Legend Cultural DevelopmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClient operating Changbaishan National Park visitor centre in China for Flying By Chang Bai Mountain production.
• Founders Forum GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommissioned Talesmith to produce the President Zelensky holographic address event.
• Dimension StudioscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for The Green Planet AR Experience, providing technology for immersive AR experience delivery.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, KewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner providing cutting-edge botanical research support for The Green Planet AR Experience.
• EE (BT)coreTechnology or Integration5G network provider launch partner for The Green Planet AR Experience, providing unprecedented high resolution and processing power.
• The Royal EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for The Green Planet AR Experience location and production support.
• BBC StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for The Green Planet AR Experience inspired by BBC's The Green Planet series.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Silverback Films: Independent UK production company specialising in premium natural history and feature documentaries, including multiple David Attenborough-fronted series. Closest direct competitor to Talesmith, competing for the same broadcaster commissions and premium talent.
• Windfall Films: UK science and factual production company producing premium factual programmes for BBC, Discovery, Nat Geo, and Channel 4. Comparable in scale and ambition, working in adjacent factual subgenres.
• NHNZ (Natural History New Zealand): New Zealand-based premium factual and natural history producer, part of Blue Ant Media. Produces wildlife, science, and adventure documentaries for global broadcasters, directly competing with Talesmith for natural history commissions.
• Atlantic Productions: UK-based premium documentary and immersive content producer known for feature-length docs, VR experiences, and high-production-value factual storytelling. Closely comparable to Talesmith's premium positioning and immersive content capabilities.
• Plimsoll Productions: UK-based BAFTA and Emmy-winning factual production company producing premium documentaries, adventure, and natural history formats. Comparable size and ambition to Talesmith, with overlapping premium broadcaster relationships.
• Wildstar Films: UK factual and wildlife production company producing natural history content for global streamers and broadcasters. Directly comparable to Talesmith in scale, focus, and target clients.
• Icon Films: Bristol-based factual production company producing natural history, wildlife, and science documentaries for global broadcasters. Closely comparable in production ethos and client base to Talesmith.
• Offspring Films: London-based premium natural history and factual production house producing series for BBC, ITV, Netflix, and Nat Geo. Already a co-production partner with Talesmith on Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family, demonstrating direct overlap in capability and clientele.

Broad incumbents

• BBC Studios Natural History Unit: The world's largest natural history production operation, producing landmark Attenborough series and Planet Earth/Blue Planet franchises. A dominant force in the same premium factual space Talesmith competes in, both as production partner and in-house competitor.

Emerging players

• Factory 42: UK immersive experience studio producing world-first VR and AR productions (including Talesmith's Green Planet AR Experience). Comparable in immersive technology focus and serves as both collaboration partner and emerging competitor in the immersive factual space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/talesmithtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/talesmithtv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talesmithtv
• Instagraminstagram.com/talesmithtv/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Talesmith Limited