Zeal Inks Big Idea Deals

LONDON, October 3: Zeal Television has announced a range of
format deals on What’s The Big Idea?,
which averaged a 35-percent share on TV2 Norway, with production under way on a
second season.

TV2 Denmark has commissioned a prime time series for spring
2007, and Zodiak Finland is in advanced conversations with a major Finnish
network. In addition, Endemol’s Meter Films in Sweden has picked up an option
on the format. MME Germany, which has also optioned the reality format, is in
advanced conversations with a major German terrestrial broadcaster, and in
France a deal has been closed with Endemol. Deals have also been inked in
Israel, Italy and Spain.

What’s the Big Idea
will be featured on Zeal’s MIPCOM slate, alongside Transmission with
T-Mobile, which Zeal recently acquired from
At It Productions. The show is part of Zeal’s expanding slate of music-related
programming, the sales of which will be overseen by the recently appointed head
of music sales and marketing, Louise Lawrence. Produced for Channel 4, the
ad-supported program features live performances from major music acts. A second
season is being prepared for next year.

Zeal is also showcasing the CD:UK format, as well as completed episodes of CD:USA, produced for DIRECTV. Other titles on offer include
the format Top of the Tables, a
daily quiz show; the BBC Two documentary Kurt; the More4 observational series Sex Change
Hospital; the docu-soap Debbie
Does for Showtime, as well as a slate of
poker programming.