DRG Secures Multi-Territory Broadcast Deal for The Farm

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LONDON: DRG and Central European Media Enterprises (CME) have entered into a multiyear, multi-territory agreement for the reality format The Farm, covering Slovakia and Romania, among other countries.

The deal allows for The Farm to be produced for three years from 2017, with an option for a fourth year, by Markiza (Slovakia), BTV (Bulgaria), Nova (Czech Republic), Pro TV (Romania) and Nova (Croatia). Each of these CME broadcasters has already produced its own local version of the format, with Markiza on its seventh season and Nova in the Czech Republic preparing to transmit its first run. Most of the broadcasters strip the series annually every day for about three months, accompanied by highlights and talk shows.

The show looks on as a group of men and women attempt to survive on a farm without any luxuries such as running water, electricity or cell phones. They must learn to live off the land and each week compete in a series of challenges. Someone is evicted from the farm every week until one person is left standing and named Farmer of the Year. The format was originally created by Strix.

Adam Barth, the senior sales manager at DRG who brokered the agreement, commented, “This is a creative and far-reaching deal for both DRG and CME and endorses The Farm as the leading reality show in the region. With the flexibility of the format and more than a decade’s worth of versions already created, broadcasters and producers have a rich resource base to draw on for their own productions, allowing them to create the best possible program for their audiences. Each territory so far has tailored the format to reflect local farming locations, culture and traditions and this flexibility has undoubtedly cemented The Farm’s relevance and popularity.”

Tubi Neustad, content production director at CME, added, “We are pleased to have secured The Farm for our broadcasters for the next three to four years, allowing them to fully commit to building The Farm brand. In each territory it not only manages to win ratings but also generates a huge amount of ‘buzz’ off-air, especially through social media, with viewers engaging with the contestants, challenges and aspects of their own local culture as portrayed on screen. It will be fascinating to see how the format develops in each country.”