3BMG Launches International Division

3 Ball Media Group (3BMG) has established a new original format and international production entity, 3BMG International.

Housed under the 3BMG corporate banner, 3BMG International will focus on original format creation and acquisition, as well as international sales, distribution and local co-production across Europe. The company will open offices in the Netherlands as a home base of European operations.

Kicking things off, RTL Nederland has commissioned seven episodes of Tiny House Battle, a new, original home-design show from executive producer Grant Cross’s Lost Arts Pictures, a joint venture with 3BMG. The series pits the most talented and unconventional “tiny home” designers and builders against each other as they compete in each episode to sell one tiny home to one demanding buyer. Tiny House Battle is slated to premiere on RTL Nederland in mid-2021 and negotiations for the format are ongoing with a number of other European broadcasters and platforms.

Reinout Oerlemans, chairman and chief creative officer of 3BMG, and 3BMG CEO Ross Weintraub will lead the new division initially.

“With 3BMG in the U.S. continuing to expand both creatively and in terms of commissions, we wanted to begin looking at opportunities that could leverage our international roots and relationships,” said Oerlemans. “3BMG International will allow us to create, sell and co-produce original formats specifically for international territories and broadcasters, and acquire innovative new IP for development for the U.S. market. It’s a great way for us to bridge creativity between Europe and the U.S., and to service a global marketplace.”

Added Weintraub, “Whether original format sales and acquisition or distribution of finished content, 3BMG International will help us forge partnerships with independent producers, just as we’ve been doing in the U.S. with 3BMG. The venture expands our footprint internationally through an efficient, sustainable model that encourages innovation. On the heels of Tiny House Battle, we’re seeing a lot of interest from numerous territories and are optimistic for 2021.”

Peter van der Vorst, chief content officer at RTL Netherlands, said, “Reinout’s legacy as an entertainment figure and producer has long been cemented in Holland, and we’re impressed with what he and Ross are building with 3BMG in the U.S., and now here in Europe. We’re excited to be in business together for Tiny House Battle and look forward to collaborating on other original series as well.”