John de Mol Introduces Format Accelerator

John de Mol’s recently launched Talpa Network is introducing a new concept called “The Fastest Way to the Screen,” which is aimed at bringing international formats to the Netherlands.

The accelerator would help format creators from around the world to launch their ideas straight to series in the Netherlands on one of the four linear television networks of Talpa Network. De Mol’s infrastructure and knowledge will help promote the format in the Netherlands and will get the IP ready for global rollout, including worldwide production and distribution.

Under The Fastest Way to the Screen concept, Talpa Network is open to all types of non-released, new original paper formats. The first format that will launch thanks to this new initiative comes from WeMake, a newly formed French production company led by former Shine France COO Bouchra Rejani. The show, Friendly Divorce, is a social experiment in which couples put their divorce in the hands of their friends and family. It is confirmed to go straight to series in 2018 on SBS6, the flagship channel that is part of Talpa Network.

Talpa Network has tapped Lisette van Diepen, who has held acquisitions roles at Endemol and Sony, to lead the Fastest Way to Screen Project.

Commented de Mol, “I am very interested in the opportunity to team up with creators around the world, and I believe this new initiative creates the perfect launching pad for new and original formats. It underpins my entrepreneurial spirit by investing in new original formats I believe in. Bringing your idea to screen can take forever nowadays. Now that I have 100 percent ownership of the Network group in the Netherlands, I’ve decided to fast track this process by selecting third-party formats myself, together with my commissioning team at the networks in the Netherlands. Under this approach, we give international parties the opportunity to launch their format in our country in return for co-ownership of the format. Launching an original idea on one of our networks saves international creators time, money and risk plus we will help shape the idea further and will use our radio stations and digital channels to help market the concept.”