Passion Sees Strong Format Sales

LONDON, December 11: Since its launch into the international arena, Passion
Distribution has seen successful sales on a number of its formats, including Smartest Guy in Town.

The game show heads to
small towns across to find out who is the smartest person there. Put to a
series of tests and challenges, contestants are whittled down to the smartest
three, who are to play against each other in a quick-fire-question round in
front of their neighbors, friends and families. The format has been optioned
into three territories in Europe. Banijay optioned the format for France and
Spain and Granada Germany optioned the format for Germany.

Claudia Zell, Passion
Distribution's European sales manager, said: "Smartest Guy in Town is a really unique and exciting format that
ticks a lot of boxes for international broadcasters. We are very pleased but
not surprised by the amazing reaction we had at MIPCOM and are confident that
this show will be successful in many territories. France, Spain and Germany
were the first ones to sign but there are ongoing discussions with other
territories globally, that are also keen to option this great new format."

Plate & Switch, a new cookery format from Picture This, has also
been optioned in Germany. The show watches as a passionate hobby chef steps
into the shoes of a seasoned professional chef for one night. The amateur chefs
are asked to take part in a new food show where they and another guest will
critique the food at a top restaurant, but are unknowingly being filmed and the
restaurant's chef can hear and see everything.

Meanwhile, Endemol
optioned World of Wonder's Fashion Strip
in 21 territories. "Fashion Strip
is young, fun and exciting," said Sally Miles, the CEO of Passion
Distribution. "When the talented
team at World of Wonder first told me about their new game show Fashion Strip I just knew this was going
to be well received and a big international success. In the circles we sell in
it was the most talked about format at MIPCOM! Was it a contributing factor
that we had a live run through on the stand and had contestants stripping off
to their bra and pants? It helps!"

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski