International distributor Beta Film and former Discovery Germany CEO Patrick Hoerl have joined forces to launch the new sales company Autentic. The company will focus on the acquisition and sales of documentaries and to foster co-productions with German and foreign partners.

Autentic's portfolio will consist of prime-time fare as well as special documentaries and individual programmes for smaller target groups, which are increasingly in demand from the growing video-on-demand (VOD) market.

In addition, Autentic will be creating concepts for programming slots and special interest channels for the global market.

The new joint venture will make its first public market appearance at next week's MIPCOM in Cannes where its first individual and volume deals are expected to be concluded.

Autentic's first catalogue will be presented in spring 2009.