Endemol Takes Three Russian Formats

LONDON: Endemol has secured its first third-party distribution deal in Russia, taking on the rights for Fashion Court, Let’s Get Married and Pride of the Nation throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

All three original entertainment formats are from Moscow-based Red Square Company. Fashion Court sees participants’ personal style examined by a famous couturier judge. The series has an average audience share of 30 percent in Russia. Let’s Get Married helps a bride or groom pick a mate from a choice of three perspective candidates. The show also has an average audience share of 30 percent. Pride of the Nation pays honor to beloved songs from different decades through a series of live performances. Each song is judged by a panel of experts, comprised of famous composers, directors, artists and actors. The weekly prime-time show has an average share of 28 percent.

Marina Williams, the CEO of Central and Eastern Europe operations at Endemol, commented: “Fashion Court, Let’s Get Married and Pride of the Nation are already proven hits in Russia and we are delighted to be working with Red Square to distribute them across Central and Eastern Europe. This is a key region for Endemol and we’re looking forward to offering local broadcasters these great new shows.”

Andrey Kurpatov, the CEO of Red Square Company, added: “We’re pleased an international leader like Endemol will be distributing three of our most successful formats—Fashion Court, Let’s Get Married and Pride of the Nation. We developed these hugely successful series with the Russian broadcaster Channel One and we’re sure they will be just as popular throughout the rest of the region.”