London – Independent distributor all3media International has shipped Studio Lambert’s factual entertainment format Gogglebox to China and the Ukraine, as new broadcasters sign local versions of the innovative, ratings-winning series.
In China, the co-operation was completed with the assistance of all3media International’s Beijing-based consultants CMMI – and marks the first deal between all3media International and the national broadcaster Jiangsu Satellite TV.
Studio Lambert chief executive Stephen Lambert said “I’m delighted that all3media International has secured a format sale in China for another one of our formats and I look forward to being there next week to help Jiangsu with Gogglebox – and also to meet with our Chinese partners on Undercover Boss (commenting on a deal previously reported for Dragon TV).
In the Ukraine, national broadcaster ICTV has commissioned a (12 x 60’) series – produced with an in-house team and it is scheduled to debut in early 2014. Gogglebox will capture the ‘national conversation’ taking place in local homes throughout both countries, presenting the highlights of the week’s television, inter cut with footage of ordinary people watching it at home.
Now in its second season on Channel 4, the first season of Gogglebox increased the UK broadcaster’s average market share in its timeslot and expanded its audience by 30% across all episodes. The series was recently commissioned for a test run by Bravo Media in the US for (3 x 30′) and a decision on a longer run is expected in the near future.
Louise Pedersen, Managing Director at all3media International commented, “We’re delighted to see the production of these new local versions of Gogglebox announced in the last few weeks. These latest deals will see this unique show broadcasting to millions of viewers throughout China and the Ukraine, as a cross section of society give their reactions to television shows from the comfort of their own sofas.The series promises strong opinions and colourful characters wherever it is produced and is guaranteed to provide fantastic entertainment for primetime schedules.”
Winner of the Best Entertainment Show FRAPA Awards at MIPCOM, the show was also nominated for Most Entertaining Documentary at the Grierson Awards 2013 and in the Programme Innovation Award at the Edinburgh Television Festival. Gogglebox captures the ‘national conversation’ that takes place under the watchful glow of our television screens. Alongside highlights of the week’s biggest shows, we see first-hand viewers’ diverse reactions to soap storylines, high-end drama, major sporting events and unfolding news stories. Funny, poignant, controversial and current, Gogglebox goes beyond a TV review show, provoking conversation not only about what’s on the screen but also what’s happening in our viewers’ lives.
