{"id":15135,"date":"2025-06-09T08:50:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T12:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/worldscreen.com\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T15:12:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T19:12:34","slug":"harry-king-tvs-nicholas-sercombe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/harry-king-tvs-nicholas-sercombe\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry King TV\u2019s Nicholas Sercombe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, Harry King TV launched its new unscripted division, Harry King Unscripted. The aim is to create and produce formats, designed for digital and linear TV, for broadcasters, streamers, digital platforms, FAST channels and YouTube. The talent- and format-first model will take advantage of the new production landscape and traditional commissioning slowdown. Nicholas Sercombe, CEO and founder of Harry King TV, tells TV Formats <\/em>about setting up the new unscripted division and the initial format focus.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What led Harry King TV to set up an unscripted division?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0We need more variety in the international unscripted market, particularly more unique and outlandish unscripted content for audiences worldwide. In my opinion, formats\u2014both scripted and unscripted\u2014are the future of the entertainment industry, as they allow content to travel and be adapted for different demographics, territories and platforms.<\/p>\n

My experience is as a comedy producer, but I started in entertainment\u2014light entertainment, as it was known\u2014and I worked with some of the great talents. I created the TV formats of\u00a0Top Tips<\/em>\u00a0with Reeves and Mortimer,\u00a0Two Old Farts in the Night<\/em>\u00a0with Barry Cryer and Willie Rushton and\u00a0Bob\u2019s Fab Ads<\/em>\u00a0with Bob Monkhouse.<\/p>\n

We wanted to introduce our unscripted division with a slate of original content that combines comedy, new ideas and exciting formats designed for both digital and linear TV, which will be made for broadcasters, streamers, digital, YouTube and FAST channels.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What are the current opportunities you see in the format landscape?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0Fresh, unique concepts are new opportunities. Formats that move away from spin-offs and reboots have the potential to connect with new audiences and build organic loyalty. This was our approach with\u00a0Curiosity<\/em>, an original idea set in a shop that buys and sells outlandish collectibles and curiosities.<\/p>\n

Engaging with new audiences means finding the right partnerships that can bring new unscripted formats to people where they can cut through, whether on linear or across digital platforms. The rise of FAST channels, AVOD platforms and digital-first distribution presents fresh opportunities for unscripted formats that may not require traditional network green lights.<\/p>\n

And, of course, the right talent can elevate an idea into a tangible and marketable format and allow it to travel across borders. The talent can then be replaced with the optimum local talent to help cut through across territories. The right format that can be adjusted for broadcasting rules and tone, depending on where it might sit, is key. It is also hugely opportune that, through unscripted, the new generation of digital and influencer talent can be a part of these formats too, finding them homes on YouTube and TikTok and freeing them from traditional commissioning structures if that\u2019s what they need.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What impact are digital platforms having on the format commissioning space, and how will the new division tap into the opportunities there?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0In the last few years, there\u2019s been a huge surge of unscripted formats and series landing on digital platforms\u2014from Channel 4\u2019s digital news series\u00a0UNTOLD<\/em>\u00a0to the new digital version of the beloved old-school format\u00a0Supermarket Sweep<\/em>\u00a0hosted by a troupe of YouTube influencers. These bring in huge audiences and engagement, and showcase the innovation and agility online broadcast can provide versus linear.<\/p>\n

It is also a great way to springboard format ideas for growth\u2014for example, Netflix\u2019s pickup of The Sidemen\u2019sformat [Inside<\/em>], a popular IP driven by major global talent that originated online. Talent and influencers are extremely appealing to streaming platforms because of the fans and audiences they bring, who are already used to seeing them on their phone screens.<\/p>\n

Of course, the type of talent attached to a format appeals to different audiences.\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>is a unique concept fronted by comedian Henning Wehn and TV presenter and antiques expert Raj Bisram. This was a choice to ensure\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>is attractive to all ages because streaming and digital platforms aren\u2019t made for one age group, and they\u2019re experts in unscripted presenting and comedy.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What makes\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>the perfect title to meet the moment of where the marketplace is at?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0At its core,\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>blends discovery and entertainment, making it the perfect watch for audiences looking for escapism and engaging and clever content. It is a unique format set in a shop that buys and sells outlandish collectibles and curiosities. In each episode, celebrity guests visit the emporium to find trinkets, curios and gifts from the Curiosity shop owners, Henning and Raj. It has the comfort of delving into interesting artifacts and mementos and is filled with humor and personality from the amazing comedic talent of Henning and Raj together. As\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>combines feel-good watching with discovery, we see it as a huge opportunity for brands and digital as well as linear because of its adaptability; it works as short-form and long-form and would work in other territories.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What are your goals for the unscripted division in the year ahead?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0Our objective is to establish a strong creative identity by being stylish, moving away from CGI sets and proving that we can deliver innovative, talent-driven formats.\u00a0Curiosity\u00a0<\/em>is the first example of what our unscripted division reflects; it is shot in anamorphic in a beautiful location, embodying the type of smart, entertaining and adaptable content we want to be known for.<\/p>\n

Beyond\u00a0Curiosity<\/em>,the goal is to create formats that work in today\u2019s evolving production landscape\u2014ones that are scalable, adaptable and primed for both long-form and short-form distribution models and partners.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll focus on projects that can be talent-led and concept-driven to ensure engagement across all audience demographics. Our talent- and format-first model will take advantage of the new production landscape and traditional commissioning slowdown with agile concepts and forward-thinking. Our vision is to position Harry King TV\u2019s unscripted division as a bold, innovative player in the unscripted space, capable of delivering smart, scalable and commercially viable formats that work across traditional and emerging platforms.<\/p>\n

TV FORMATS:<\/strong>\u00a0What other types of formats will you be focused on?
\nSERCOMBE:<\/strong>\u00a0The format-first model means we\u2019ll focus on a variety of unscripted formats\u2014from shiny-floor contestant-based shows to location and talent-focused concepts.<\/p>\n

Having worked with many of the funniest and most creative talents out there, we thought it was the right time to bring that attitude from the world of scripted to the land of formats and docs. All the shows we develop have heart, humor and a bit of cheekiness. After all, the world needs more laughter. And the\u00a0Curiosity<\/em>\u00a0format, our new unscripted division,and our scripted slate exist to subvert the \u201ctraditional\u201d model and bring things to digital, streaming and linear with a raft of excellent talent attached right from the start.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The CEO and founder talks\u00a0about setting up the company\u2019s new unscripted division and its initial format focus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":350,"featured_media":15136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,69],"tags":[4156,4347],"class_list":["post-15135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-interviews","category-top-stories","tag-harry-king-tv","tag-nicholas-sercombe","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\nHarry King TV\u2019s Nicholas Sercombe - TVFORMATS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/worldscreen.com\/tvformats\/harry-king-tvs-nicholas-sercombe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Harry King TV\u2019s Nicholas Sercombe - 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