Nippon TV Signs Warner Bros. to Multi-Territory Deal for Mute it!

Nippon TV has struck a multi-territory deal that will see Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) developing and producing the format Mute it!

WBITVP’s production company BlazHoffski is underway on a local adaptation for SBS6 Netherlands, entitled Stilte AUB! (Silence Please!). The six-episode series launches in prime time on March 12.

Based closely on the original Mute it! format, each episode will involve 12 players—including one celebrity team member—attempting to pass unheard through themed rooms and crazy obstacles, all without making any sound above 50 decibels.

Mikiko Nishiyama, managing director of international business development for Nippon TV, commented, “Mute it! is a modern and updated crazy-Japanese-gameshow type of format that has huge success each time it airs on our Nippon TV network. We were able to produce several new episodes of this family-friendly gameshow amidst the pandemic in 2020, and the latest production just aired in February 2021 thanks to its unique format where contestants are filmed in separate studios. We initially created Mute it! in the Winter of 2019 and it turned out to be adaptable even in this new global pandemic environment, making it a perfect choice for our partner, Warner Brothers International TV Production. We are very honored they found this format to be attractive and have no doubt their versions, starting with the Dutch version, will be smash hits, especially for viewers looking for fun and feel-good shows.”

Andrew Zein, senior VP of creative format development and sales at WBITVP, added: “For a show that’s all about keeping quiet, Mute it! is a great, fun format that has already created a lot of noise in the international marketplace. We are thrilled to now add to that and shout about our new acquisition. Mute it! is perfect escapism for audiences right now and we look forward to our colleagues at BlazHoffski and SBS launching their fantastic version.”