New Formats for MIPTV

TV Formats Weekly spoke to a range of distributors to find out what are some of the newest and hottest formats for MIPTV.

Formats continue to remain a dominant staple for broadcasters around the world. Some of these shows have even managed to become global behemoths, spanning 100-plus territories with their local treatments. The format distributors heading to MIPTV are all hoping that their catalogue contains that next big hit that will travel the world over.

FremantleMedia has a roster of global megahits such as The X Factor and Idols, as well as two of the most successful traveling formats of 2010, Got Talent and Take Me Out. New to the slate is Dream School, in which leading figures work with pupils who have failed in the traditional school system. Four Rooms follows ordinary salespeople who are given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sell precious possessions. Walk the Line is part reality series, part game show, while Total Blackout is a game show that takes place in complete darkness. Do the Right Thing has contestants competing for the opportunity to change the world for the better. “MIPCOM proved that broadcasters are buying again, and with the range of quality programming that we are bringing to MIPTV we’re confident that we’ll continue to see very strong demand,” says Rob Clark, the president of worldwide entertainment.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment also has catalogue of formats that have been proven hits. “When broadcasters acquire our formats, they are not just buying into innovative ideas, they are gaining a proven hit, often in multiple territories,” says Tobias de Graaff, the director of global television distribution. For MIPTV, de Graaff is highlighting the titles The Chase and Perfection. He is also keen to promote the strengths of Coach Trip, a travel-meets-reality show featuring seven pairs of strangers traveling together on a bus tour, and Four Weddings, a competition between brides who are planning four extremely different nuptials. Popstar to Opera­star challenges brave pop stars to enter a new musical genre in the hopes of becoming a bona fide opera sensation.

Banijay International has been working hard to get the message out to clients that “we are at the forefront of the global content business and an essential stop in their busy market diary,” says Karoline Spodsberg, managing director. The company has a range of new formats to offer its clients as well, each with its own set of strengths. “Both Try Sleeping in My Bed and Night Life have already aired to excellent ratings,” says Spodsberg. “One Night Stand puts a fresh, modern spin on the dating format…and is a great cost-effective choice for broadcasters targeting a young audience. Back on the Job taps into our fascination with celebrities and how they live their lives when they are just being ‘ordinary people,’ humbling them and bringing fascinating insight into their early lives and upbringings.” There’s also the game show Honey, Pack the Bags!

Sparks Network harnesses the combined strength of its various member companies from all corners of the globe. Nicola Söderlund, president, is betting on titles such as Clash of the Nations, Pirates and Supermarket Challenge to spark interest from buyers in Cannes. There’s also the family entertainment show Hide & Seek and Just Married, which has been a big success in Korea. He says these shows tout original concepts, with appealing story­telling qualities, “and all [have] hit potential.”

Armoza Formats has developed programming “according to what we view as today’s current trends and the broadcasters’ programming needs for 2011,” says CEO Avi Armoza. This includes the prime-time game show Still Standing, which has been picked up by NBC in the U.S. Following the success of Connected, which debuted at MIPCOM, Armoza is highlighting four new factual-entertainment formats. These are With This Ring, an in-depth study of marriage; A Star Is Reborn, a docu-reality show about celebrity has-beens trying to get back on top; TLV, featuring young professionals trying to conquer the big city; and the kids’ cooking format Delicious. “And of course we’re bringing with us two new scripted formats,” Armoza says, pointing to Danny Hollywood and Pick-Up.

Generating “buzz” has been a key focus for the Turkish outfit Global Agency since its inception. “Global Agency believes in creativity without limits, but we are very selective about the formats we take on,” says Izzet Pinto, CEO. “We make sure that only the best projects with the highest chance of commercial success are presented to our buyers.” For this market, these titles include Perfect Bride and Forbidden Love. “Our dating format My Ex Is My Witness! is in the spotlight now as it heads into production in the U.S.,” adds Pinto. “The King’s Jungle is a great adventure format that combines strategy and endurance. Our latest addition is Shopping Monsters, which will offer buyers a really fresh approach to a perennial theme.”

Following the enormous success of The King’s Speech, winner of this year’s Academy Award for best picture, Leopard International is bringing to the market My Life: Stammer School. Katie Stephenson, an international sales executive, says the half-hour production is a “timely and engaging documentary, which will appeal across international markets.” Leopard is also bringing the brand-new show Trade Your Way to the USA, which recently premiered to strong ratings on CBBC. A returning hit in Leopard’s catalogue, Cash in the Attic, continues to attract global interest and is currently airing in 167 countries. The slate is rounded out with the youth format Freshly Squeezed, which features interviews with celebrities and live performances from some of today’s hottest acts.

After having established itself as a supplier of reality programming, Rive Gauche Television is stepping into the formats arena. This effort is being launched with the game shows Cyber Smarts, Style Diva and Hunch. “They are all simple, clear and promotable concepts that will enable our partners to produce low-cost, original programming that targets key demos,” says David Auerbach, the president of Rive Gauche. The company got off to a solid start, with its studio-based game show Hunch getting picked up by Endemol in France. “My goal is to increase awareness for Rive Gauche as a supplier of original and innovative formats,” says Auerbach.