Global Agency Finds Format Magic with Comedic Talent Show

Izzet Pinto, CEO and founder of Global Agency, talks to TV Formats about the original singing entertainment series Is That Really Your Voice and what makes a format successful on the global stage.

If a format can successfully stir up emotions in its audience, it will have the legs to travel the world, according to Pinto. If it reaches beyond the scope of traditional ideas and formulas, even better. And behind every format that lands in markets across the globe is, of course, a capable distributor. “Distribution is very important to be a global franchise format,” Pinto tells TV Formats Weekly. “A distribution company would have the power to present and deliver that project to the whole world. That’s why the role and power of the distributor is very important.”

Leading Global Agency’s format slate is the original singing entertainment format Is That Really Your Voice, which Pinto created back in 2013. Based on the idea of being able to pick out the best vocalists by merely looking at the contestants without ever hearing their supposed talents, “it’s a comedy-mystery game show that combines entertainment and talent,” explains Pinto. “In this show, the traditional studio format is turned on its head because the judges have to make their selections based on looks alone.”

Is That Really Your Voice bowed in France on TF1 under the name Good Singers to positive ratings. It has subsequently made its debut on Russia’s TNT, with deals having been closed in 14 territories for the format thus far. “We have high expectations; we wish this show to last for years,” says Pinto. “It looks like audiences around the world are showing interest in comedy formats these days. I think this genre is suitable for the whole world because local comedy works everywhere. Is That Really Your Voice will be a perfect show for worldwide TV channels because it has all the successful elements needed to make it a perfect show: entertainment, curiosity, an amazing cast with brilliant voices and unbearable voices, great stage design, a successful host and talented jury members. We think it will become a successful franchise in the next two to three years.”

Amid ongoing production restrictions due to Covid-19, Is That Really Your Voice has proven adaptable. With its visual appeal and celebrity hosts, the in-studio audience isn’t as vital. “Nowadays, studio-based shows need to be limited in terms of audience size,” explains Pinto. “In the past, audiences were needed for mimics and for reactions. But during pandemic times, they are mostly needed for clapping effects. And the energy.”

Also on Global Agency’s slate is Shopping Monsters, a daytime format that combines competition, gossip, makeovers and style. It has aired more than 2,000 episodes in Germany and 1,750 episodes in France.

Despite the extreme hardships of the first six months of the global pandemic, Global Agency benefited from having ready-made projects, and with format productions slowly recommencing, sales are growing in kind. “It can be seen that format sales have accelerated,” notes Pinto. “Scripted formats are on the rise in the world, but since unscripted formats can be produced at half the budget, there is a return to unscripted formats in some countries.”

Pinto notes that channels tend to favor formats that are franchise brands with a proven track record and little risk. But Pinto points out that in the pandemic period, “digital channels have also opened up, so the content is needed more than ever.” He adds, “As the rate of watching TV has increased, advertising income has stabilized. As the income increases, the industry has been growing recently.”