TVNZ Signs Up for DRG Factual-Entertainment Format

LONDON: DRG has secured a full-season commission for Make the Politician Work from TVNZ of New Zealand, along with a new option in Norway by the producer behind the local versions of Idol and Got Talent.

The social-experiment format challenges high-ranking politicians to take to the workplace of ordinary people who are directly affected by their decisions. The show was created by Gorilla Media in association with CBC in Canada, where the first season hits the air this month. TVNZ has signed up for 8 half-hour episodes, marking the first format pickup outside of Canada, for a spring premiere. It will be produced by Great Southern Film & Television, whose production credits include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for TV One as well as The Apprentice and The Singing Bee for TV2.

DRG secured a production option for the format with Norway’s Monster Entertainment, which has adapted X Factor, Idol and Got Talent for TV2 and Kitchen Nightmares for TV3.

Sean Connolly, CEO at Gorilla Media, said, “For us, it’s a true indication of the rising popularity of Canadian content internationally and as TVNZ get ready to launch, I am delighted with today’s news which underlines the high-quality production companies that DRG has partnered the format with around the world. It’s these creative teams that will help us grow Make the Politician Work into one of the year’s most memorable and interesting formats.”

Andrea Jackson, the managing director of acquisitions at DRG, added, “Every country in the world is led by politics and that’s what makes this format such a relevant and interesting proposition. Taking high-profile politicians out of their comfort zone and into an entertaining and challenging scenario, which strips bare the public’s perception to expose their true character when tasked with very real jobs, often testing their mental and physical ability to the limit.”