MIPCOM Spotlight: Passion Distribution

CANNES: With plans to expand its business in the format arena, Passion Distribution is launching eight new game shows at this year’s event, alongside a slate of factual content.

And, there are more than game shows on the roster. “There is something for everyone and all parts of the schedule,” says Sally Miles, the company’s CEO. “I think 40 percent of our pitch meetings at MIPCOM will be centered on the format business.”

One of the formats being highlighted by Passion is The Great Food Truck Race, a food competition show. “Our chefs take to the roads in food trucks and the winner wins their own food truck and a map to success,” says Miles. Friend or Foe? asks teammates to figure out how they should split their prizes. “We love the twist in this show where the winning team of two could go home with nothing if they both get too greedy,” says Miles, who mentions that the show has performed well in the U.S. Instant Recall, a situational hidden-camera game show, tests how much information contestants are able to remember. “We love the humor and element of surprise with the hidden camera,” notes Miles.

There are more than 400 hours of new factual content available from Passion Distribution, which is highlighting Baggage Battles among its offerings. “The show premiered in the U.S. on Travel Channel in April and has proven ratings success with over 8.7 million viewers tuning in and an immediate recommission, giving our buyers multiple seasons and the opportunity to buy into a long-running brand,” says Miles. The company is also presenting Braving the Elements from The Weather Channel’s prime-time schedule. “This genre has proven itself globally to be a ratings winner in a prime-time schedule, so we are delighted to have a brand-new series taking us into new worlds not seen before,” says Miles. Next up from Passion is When Vacations Attack, another Travel Channel show.

“Our buyers will be excited to see there is something for everyone, giving us the opportunity to do more business with more international broadcasters in the second half of 2012 and satisfying buyers’ programming needs.”