London – Los Angeles and London-based formats company Small World IFT announced on July 15 a landmark co-production deal for its hit format Dr What: Diagnosis Unknown in China, as a 12 x 70’ series will premier on July 16 on Zhejiang TV.
A co-development between NHK Enterprises, Japan, Zhejiang TV and Legend Media, China, this significant agreement represents the first time that Chinese broadcaster Zhejiang TV has partnered with Japan on a format. Dr What: Diagnosis Unknown, a studio-based medical detective game show that challenges medical interns to diagnose real-life conditions, will air in China as Health 007 in a 10pm slot.
The deal was brokered by Tim Crescenti, President at Small World IFT, Aegena Tay, Director of Programme Development at Singapore-based Bomanbridge Media and Patrick Peng, Research and Development Director at Legend Media, China. The format Dr What: Diagnosis Unknown is distributed internationally by Small World IFT, with five seasons totalling more than 55 episodes airing to strong ratings on Japan’s NHK as Dr G’s Case File.
Tim Crescenti, President at Small World IFT, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to follow the success of Dr What: Diagnosis Unknown in Japan with this major new co-development for audiences in China. The show sees some of the country’s brightest young brains challenged to showcase their knowledge, offering viewers fascinating real-life stories blended with a highly entertaining competitive element – and, of course, some valuable medical information along the way! We’re looking forward to seeing Health 007 on air in China and expect to sign more international productions soon.”
Aegena Tay, Director of Programme Development at Bomanbridge Media, commented, “We are pleased to be part of an exciting collaboration. China has found a great project that positively encourages the audience to live better by knowing more about our health.”
Hiroya Okado, Senior Producer, Content Development Center at NHK, said, “Doctor What: Diagnosis Unknown is one of very few unique formats in the market place. It is a great pleasure that we will now be able to see the Chinese co-development Health 007 come to life. Through the re-enactment of the cases we hope the Chinese viewers will enjoy the deduction of a diagnosis as our viewers in Japan do. The medical information discussed is educational for viewers of all ages.”
In Dr What: Diagnosis Unknown, four outstanding medical interns must all use their medical knowledge, skills of observation and expertise in deduction as they are challenged to diagnose real-life conditions in this dynamic studio-based medical detective game show. Hosted by a physician, each week the student doctors are presented with a puzzling case in the form of dramatic re-enactments of the condition. From the clues, the interns compete to determine a correct diagnosis that will only be revealed at the end of the show. Each episode features real medical mysteries, real doctors and no scripts.
Small World IFT signed an ongoing strategic deal with global entertainment company Content Media Corporation in 2012, which sees Content’s management team and sales executives working closely with Small World to grow the company’s portfolio of format IP and build a global format distribution company.
