TV Formats In-Demand: Game Shows

Our first TV Formats In-Demand report focuses on the always popular game-show genre, with spotlights on Banijay Rights’ new U.S. hit Don’t and Red Arrow Studios International’s buzzy Beat the Channel and long-running Sky One commission A League of Their Own.

Beat the Channel

Commissioned By: ProSieben, Germany
Produced By: Florida Entertainment
Distributed By: Red Arrow Studios International
Description: The totally original, hit entertainment format in which two popular presenters get the chance to win a 15-minute live broadcast slot—where anything goes. Episodes can run for 60 minutes or two hours.
Track Record: Licensed to territories including France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Middle East.
Pitch Perfect: “The original production (Joko & Klaas gegen ProSieben) is a massive hit in Germany,” says Tim Gerhartz, senior VP of global sales at Red Arrow Studios International. “The series has generated not only huge ratings but unprecedented PR and social media buzz too. It’s perfect for channels looking for noisy, event programming and also offers unique cross-promotion and brand-integration opportunities.”
Slot Winner: In Germany, the ratings for Beat the Channel have grown season after season, with season four set to air in the fall. Season three had an average share of 14.4 percent (14 to 49), 2.1 percent more than season two and every episode beat ProSieben’s slot share across all the key demos.
Sales Contacts: Tim Gerhartz, SVP, Global Sales; Shirley Bowers, VP, Sales & Acquisitions, North America, Australia & New Zealand; Tobias Schulze, VP, Sales, France, German-speaking territories; Shakira Hoffman, Senior Sales Manager, CEE, CIS, Greece; Maria Arroyo, Senior Sales Manager, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Israel; Joyce Droese, Sales Manager, Asia. sales@redarrowstudios.com

Don’t

Commissioned By: ABC Network, U.S.A.
Produced By: Banijay Studios North America
Distributed By: Banijay Rights
Description: A new physical comedy game show where families can win money by following one simple instruction: Don’t. Episodes are 60 minutes long.
Track Record: Licensed into Mexico.
Pitch Perfect: Don’t is a hilarious new game show that combines physical comedy, family dynamics and never-before-seen stunts. At the heart of this fun format is a family of contestants who are given a simple instruction in each challenge: Don’t do something. The game designs are flexible and the show’s strongly comic personality can work at all budget levels.
Slot Winner: A recent hit in the U.S. for ABC, the family-friendly format launched as the number one show of the night on network television and won its slot for 18 to 49s and 25 to 54s.
Sales Contact: Andrew Sime, VP, Formats.

A League of Their Own

Commissioned By: Sky One, U.K.
Produced By: CPL Productions
Distributed By: Red Arrow Studios International
Description: The hilarious BAFTA Award-winning panel show that mixes sport, comedy and entertainment. Celebrity guests join team regulars to battle across numerous riotous rounds of challenges, testing their sporting knowledge and physical skills to the limit. Episodes can be 30 minutes or 60 minutes.
Track Record: An enduring hit in the U.K. on Sky One, where season 15 is in production and another two have been commissioned. The format has also been successful in Germany (Sky), where three seasons have aired and a fourth is in production, and in Denmark (Kanal 5), where five seasons have aired. The format has also been adapted in Australia (Network 10) and most recently in the U.S., where it airs on CBS as Game On!
Pitch Perfect: “A League of Their Own is a high-energy, supersized panel show that offers great prime-time family entertainment,” says Tim Gerhartz, senior VP of global sales at Red Arrow Studios International. “Sports and entertainment are universal concepts and the format blends both in an original, comedic way, which appeals equally to men and women. It’s flexible and scalable, so works for a range of broadcasters, and is the perfect solution for TV schedules in a year without major sporting events.”
Slot Winner: Sky’s highest-rated entertainment series, regularly pulling in 1.5 million U.K. viewers.
Sales Contacts: Tim Gerhartz, SVP, Global Sales; Shirley Bowers, VP, Sales & Acquisitions, North America, Australia & New Zealand; Tobias Schulze, VP, Sales, France, German-speaking territories; Shakira Hoffman, Senior Sales Manager, CEE, CIS, Greece; Maria Arroyo, Senior Sales Manager, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Israel; Joyce Droese, Sales Manager, Asia. sales@redarrowstudios.com