Nippon TV & ITV Studios Enter Co-Development Deal

Nippon TV and ITV Studios have signed a co-development deal to create a brand-new format for the international marketplace.

The new creative collaboration will see the two companies work on a number of development ideas before deciding which to proceed with and take to market, producing the new series in their respective territories. Nippon TV will then manage the distribution of the new format across Asia, with ITV Studios representing the show in the rest of the world.

Earlier this year, ITV Studios acquired the international production rights for Nippon TV’s game-show format Red Carpet Survival in those territories where it has an unscripted production base.

Mike Beale, managing director of the global Creative Network at ITV Studios, said: “With this deal, our relationship with Nippon TV goes from strength to strength. It combines both the creative and distribution resources from each of our businesses, allowing us to make the very best of our respective expertise. We are confident this will produce a number of exciting ideas and look forward to launching the brand-new format in 2021.”

Mikiko Nishiyama, managing director for international business development at Nippon TV, added: “Our paths crossed with Mike and his team through our format Red Carpet Survival at MIPTV 2019. Since then, our partnership has evolved into this co-development partnership, and we are now on the same boat, creating new ideas to ride the next wave of international formats together. We are grateful for the tremendous energy and dedication by ITV Studios and will look forward to our collaboration to drive phenomenon across the globe.”