Big Benefits Handout Heads to RTL

AMSTERDAM/COLOGNE: The social-experiment format The Big Benefits Handout, which originated on Channel 5 in the U.K., is heading to German broadcaster RTL.

Created by Dragonfly, the format gives families that have been dependent on government benefits a cash handout to see if it can turn their lives around. Endemol Shine Germany is producing the local version. This marks the first deal for the format outside of the U.K.

“The Big Benefits Handout is a truly innovative format which gives families the opportunity to get out of the tough regime of the welfare system,” said Lisa Perrin, CEO of Creative Networks at Endemol Shine Group. “This deal is a great example of how Endemol Shine Group collaborates and a format can be quickly adapted for any territory, within months of it first launching. We are very much looking forward to gaining the German perspective on this inspiring new show.”