TVFORMATS
DRG has extended its multi-territory, multiyear deal with CME (Central European Media Enterprises) for the prime-time reality format The Farm.
The renewed agreement allows for the local version of The Farm to be produced for three years from 2020 and covers the CME channels BTV in Bulgaria, Pro TV in Romania and Markiza in Slovakia. The broadcasters typically strip the series annually in either 60-minute or 90-minute prime-time episodes every day for around three months, complete with companion highlights and talk shows.
The Farm, which has versions in more than 50 territories, throws a group of men and women together on a farm to discover the simple life. Without the luxuries of running water, electricity or mobile phones, the group learns to live off the land, competing in a series of challenges each week to fight to be the last one standing and declared Farmer of the Year. Originally created by Strix, the format first launched in Scandinavia in 2001.
Tubi Neustad, content production director at CME, said: “The Farm continues to be the number one reality show for a number of our broadcasters in Europe, so we were keen to extend our relationship with DRG and grow the program brand still further in these territories.”
Adam Barth, DRG’s commercial director, who looks after the relationship with CME, added: “Nearly 20 years on, The Farm still resonates with broadcasters and viewers around the world and we are thrilled that its flexible and effective format has worked so well for CME, both on-screen in terms of ratings and off-air, with the publicity and social media engagement that it always generates. We are delighted to extend this significant and far-reaching deal for a further three years and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with the team at CME.”
