All3Media International Picks Up Chess Masters Format

All3Media International has taken on distribution for Curve Media’s Chess Masters, commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer.

Since coming on board Chess Masters, All3Media International has brought in producers in key territories across Europe, America and Australia to work on local versions of the format. Deals have been signed in France with Mediawan, Spain with ITV Studios, Australia with Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment company), Germany with Tower Productions, the Netherlands with IDTV, Belgium with All3Media Belgium and the U.S., where Curve is working directly with All3Media America.

All3Media International will handle global distribution for the format and finished version.

The factual entertainment format will pit 16 passionate players from all backgrounds and parts of the U.K. against one another. As well as unpicking and exploring their psychological gameplay, we’ll discover the often emotional backstories and reasons for playing as they compete with one another in a series of face to face rapid or blitz games. Each game will take place in the Chess Masters glass box before one of the sixteen is crowned Chess Master.

Nick Smith, executive VP of formats and licensing at All3Media International, commented, “Chess is the ultimate global game played in 172 countries around the world. It has stood the test of time and remains hugely popular over 1,500 years after it was invented. Chess makes for captivating and compelling viewing as every game is different, and it is distinctly inclusive and accessible to people from all walks of life. Ultimately, chess delivers the ideal game to structure a TV format around, and Curve Media’s Chess Masters promises to deliver a gripping format that will inspire, ignite and entertain ardent chess fans, new players and those at the start of their chess journey.”

Camilla Lewis, Curve Media co-CEO, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with All3Media International to take Chess Masters global. We are delighted to be making this warm, inclusive and clever series, where the emotional as well as strategic stakes are high. There is untapped talent out there. Amateurs from 8 to 80 will get the opportunity to compete with the best and the audience will get unique insights into the psychological and practical gameplay of this age-old but highly accessible game played by all cultures and by people of all kinds.”