Norway’s NRK Buys Rights to Maestro Format

The BBC Studios music competition format Maestro has been picked up by NRK in Norway, where it previously aired back in 2009.

The eight-episode Norwegian adaptation of Maestro is set to broadcast on NRK in 2020. Originally broadcast on BBC Two in 2008, Maestro sees eight celebrities face off in a musical competition centered on the art of conducting, with the chance to conduct a world-class orchestra live up for grabs. One celebrity is eliminated each week until two remain, with final performances and viewer votes deciding the winner. Casting for the local version in Norway will be revealed in due course.

In other Maestro news, the Netherlands’ Tuvulu Media has renewed its license for the format for seasons five—which is set to bow this fall—and six. BBC Studios has also licensed the format to Denmark (DR), Sweden (SVT), Finland (YLE) and Georgia (GPB).

Jan Salling, head of formats and production for BBC Studios Nordics, said: “Maestro is feel-good entertainment for all the family that brings classical music to a broad audience. Viewers get to follow celebrities on an incredible, personal musical journey as they take on the terrifying challenge of conducting a live orchestra. We are excited and proud to see its return to Norway and runaway success in the Netherlands and hope to see many more countries follow.”

Ingerid Nordstrand, NRK’s head of culture, added: “NRK’s aim is to introduce a wide audience to classical music, and Maestro is the perfect vehicle to achieve this. We want a show that the family will watch together, that will bring joy and generate interest in classical music. We will use our own orchestra, The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, whose profile will be raised by performing throughout this TV series.”