Advanced Television

Gennie, Phoenix Television, to co-produce Birds Aren’t Real

February 2, 2026

Gennie, the newly launched generative AI content studio based in Los Angeles, and Phoenix Television, the nonscripted UK television production company, have entered into a new coproduction deal for the documentary series, Birds Aren’t Real.

The series examines modern conspiracy theories and broader questions about how and why these ideas persist and gain credibility, and what they say about public trust in media, science, institutions, and authority in the digital age. The announcement was made jointly by Max Einhorn, CEO and Cofounder of Gennie, and Miles Jarvis and Jaimi West from Phoenix Television, at Realscreen Summit 2026.

The series takes its name from the viral Birds Aren’t Real phenomenon, which began in2017 as a satirical joke about conspiracy culture, but gained traction as an actual movement and became a widely cited example of how misinformation can spread, evolve, and in some cases, be taken seriously. Each episode will explore one widely debated global conspiracy theory by taking a deep dive into examining its origins, the evidence cited by proponents, and the historical, scientific, or journalistic record used to assess speculation, belief, and verified fact. Narratives that will be explored include: birds aren’t real, the moon landing, the flat Earth movement, Malaysia Airlines FlightMH370 disappearance, suppressed medical breakthroughs, and claims involving hidden or withheld technologies, among others.

Einhorn said: “This is a fascinating topic that has intrigued me for many years, and I’m thrilled to help explore the line between fact and fiction. Our AI technology will dramatically enhance these stories, guiding viewers through the evolution of conspiracy theories and providing a deeper understanding of how these movements originate and take hold.”

Jarvis added: “In an increasingly connected world where ideas can proliferate rapidly, we believe it is essential to responsibly examine these conspiracy theories and how they spread. We are excited to bring on Gennie’s AI expertise to truly show the viewer how these theories originate in this new and compelling series.”

Every AIassisted sequence created by Gennie is designed and directed by real filmmakers and is integrated alongside live interviews and licensed archive materials to support clarity, scale, and visual coherence. The AI is used to help contextualise historical moments, illustrate abstract or disputed ideas, and clarify timelines and narrative complexity.

The series consists of eight episodes and is seeking commissioning broadcasters and streamers.

The deal was brokered by Einhorn for Gennie and Jarvis for Phoenix Television. Global sales for Birds Aren’t Real. are being handled by BossaNova Media.

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