Suddenly, unscripted programming across the globe is big business for many broadcasters. Top networks say it is less expensive, just getting TV stations to commit to a daytime talk show with a big-name host for at least a year. Then cross their fingers and hope that it works. While everyone is taking a step back from big-budget shows this year, more formats are taking the lead across the globe, especially in Asia.
Asia’s leading content and media company CJ E&M has launched a new type of singing talent show, titled I Can See Your Voice, where contestants compete to prove that they have what it takes to be recognised as talented singers.
“Asian countries are no longer considered a third party. We are part of the global community and Asia is definitely one of the fastest developing regions around the world.
Asian dynamic impacts new kinds of creativity and this is where the strength of ‘made in Asia’ comes from,” shared Hwang Jin Woo, Head of Formats at CJ E&M. “Besides the digital era, the format world is faced with something called ‘Creative crisis.’ Successful yet old enough formats are diminishing as we speak.
As some industry executive noted at this year’s NATPE, “Reduced fees and longwinded production processes have resulted in fewer risks which lead to stifling creativity.” People always look for something new and fresh. And this may be the time for Asian formats to prove to the world that we do have something different,” he added.
Keshet International’s Kelly Wright, Sales Director claimed her scripted side of the flagship drama format Prisoners of War (which won the Seoul International Drama Awards Grand Prize in 2013 beating 225 other entries and became the multi-award winning Homeland) and the spy thriller MICE are making waves in Asia, particularly in Korea. The format is currently airing on KBS as The Spy with the brilliant Kim Jae-joong in the lead role. On the non-scripted side, interactive talent show RISING STAR and the beautiful children’s talent show Master Class are building momentum in the region. Master Class is soon to launch on China’s BTV, Beijing’s satellite channel while Prisoners of War Korea is in development.
“We’re also very excited to say that our action-packed game show BOOM! with its exploding studio is to be remade in Cambodia. BOOM! performed very well in Spain, Hungary, Israel and Kazakhstan.
We’ve also recently closed a flurry of deals for the format in Latin America and have several more in the pipeline. We’re thrilled that the exciting new market in Cambodia will be the first to premiere the show in Asia. Within a short span, this territory is really proving that it has excellent taste in television and a fantastic audience for trialing innovative new products.
“We are launching some exciting new formats this year, the first of which will make its debut at MIPTV and we’re bulking up our local outfits in the UK and U.S., investing steadily in development. We’re determined to keep bringing bigger, better and original formats to the global market.
We’ll also be distributing more finished tape. 2014 saw finished shows like the star-studded U.S. series of RISING STAR and the American hidden-camera game show Deal With It sell across Asia,” added Kelly.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVSGE) has signed the first international format deal for Star China’s hit primetime entertainment series, Sing My Song. Vietnam’s VTV3 has commissioned a 10-episode local version of the series from Cattiensa Media, which will air in early 2016. ITVSGE has also signed a deal for 12 Yard’s primetime family entertainment format Big Star’s Little Star. VTV3 has commissioned a 26 episode series from Multimedia JSC. It will air in July 2015 on a Saturday evening slot. This is the second Asian deal for the format, after Korean channel JTBC commissioned its own version of the show. Big Star’s Little Star has now been produced in six territories worldwide, including Finland and Belgium.
Hyeonza Hong, SVP Sales, Asia for ITVSGE said, “There is a strong demand from the Asian market for family-friendly entertainment, and Sing My Song and Big Star’s Little Star are the perfect fit. We’re delighted that Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy these shows and expect further interest in the formats from broadcasters across the region.”
ITV Studios is all set to launch a raft of 14 new reality, entertainment, factual entertainment, quiz shows and factual formats at MIPTV 2015, led by 10,000 BC and Get Your Act Together. The new formats slate was unveiled to an audience of over 100 buyers from around the world at the annual ITV Studios Formats 2015 event. Mike Beale, EVP of Global Development and Formats said, “The rich diversity of our MIPTV slate spans formats across a variety of genres, originating from our producers around the world. We are excited to be bringing to market a portfolio of formats that will suit a wide range of slots and broadcasters.
“There is still a constant demand for fresh ideas, as everyone searches for the next big thing in formats. This means, we are seeing new formats emerge from all parts of the globe.
We are lucky to have an international production pipeline in ITV Studios, which means that our new slate of formats for MIPTV boasts formats from the UK and U.S. as well as territories like Germany and the Nordics.
“Broadcasters are also still looking for performing shows, so we are seeing tried-and-tested formats that have already proven themselves around the globe being picked up in new territories. We are lucky to have titles that have performed over a number of years in multiple territories but still feel fresh in other parts of the world. For example, Hell’s Kitchen has run for 14 seasons in the U.S., and has recently been commissioned in Indonesia and Brazil,” he added.
Scouting has commenced for amateur cooks across Asia to participate in renowned cooking competition series – A+E Networks Asia has decided upon a pan-regional Asian version of the global hit reality cooking format, MasterChef which will debut on Lifetime channel later this year. Endemol Southeast Asia has been commissioned to produce the 15-episode series, which will be filmed in Singapore together with three judges. “MasterChef Asia marks an important milestone for A+E Networks Asia,” said Prem Kamath, Deputy MD, Asia-Pacific, A+E Networks. “The series is our most significant local commission to date and is a sign of our commitment to the Asian production community.”
“Asian formats can be just as attractive as the imported ones. For a channel like HISTORY, we tend to create more of our own formats for original productions as they are more suited to the brand. Locally created formats can sometimes be more relevant to the local market as well as offer opportunities to customise the content for brand integration.
Whereas the international formats serve their own purpose as they immediately have brand recognition with audiences and advertisers,” said Michele Schofield, SVP Programming & Production at A+E Networks Asia.
“Formats aren’t just big budget, reality competition, shiny-floor shows. A+E Networks has seen Pawn Stars formatted in the UK, South Africa and Australia. We have taken the A+E format for Asian versions of My Ghost Story and 10 Things You Don’t Know.
We are very excited to have just green lighted MasterChef Asia for Lifetime! It is the biggest production undertaking to date for A+E Networks Asia and demonstrates our commitment to bring some of the best entertainment to Lifetime viewers in Asia. We’ll see this air on Lifetime later in 2015.
While we have been creating local productions on our channels since 2009, we hope that this first season of MasterChef Asia is just the start of more ‘big things’ to come on both Lifetime and HISTORY,” she added.
Global distributor Banijay International has signed an exclusive formats representation deal in the Middle East, teaming with local production partner Periscoop. The deal will see Periscoop, which is led by Péri Cochin and is one of most prominent producers in the Middle East, representing adaptation and distribution rights for Banijay International’s portfolio of hit non-scripted formats throughout the region.
Sebastian Burkhardt, SVP International Distribution at Banijay International, commented, “We’re delighted to team with such an expert partner in the Middle East. Péri Cochin and her team at Periscoop have a wealth of knowledge and experience of successfully adapting international formats for this market and this collaboration will provide a host of further opportunities for our hit shows in this vibrant region.”
Global Agency has added another hit title to their international format slate that was launched at DISCOP ISTANBUL. The ground – breaking format It’s Showtime will be a key title in Global Agency’s line-up. Izzet Pinto, the creator of the format and CEO of Global Agency said, “We’re very proud to be bringing to DISCOP ISTANBUL another brand new hit which we believe will be a global sensation. The show is visually iconic and we are confident that it will be a huge hit with broadcasters and viewers in every territory. We aim to see the different versions of our format in at least 30 countries in two years.”
FremantleMedia’s high-octane entertainment format Master Athletes has been commissioned for a second series by Swedish national broadcaster SVT. The format which sees ultra-fit members of the public compete and endure a range of grueling fitness challenges in the bid for glory, has transformed sport into gripping prime time entertainment.
Magnus Karlsson Lamm, MD of FremantleMedia Sweden said, “Master Athletes has shown itself to be a serious contender in SVT’s prime time schedule and we’re delighted a second series has been commissioned. It’s fast paced, high intensity and incredibly engaging for the audience. We’re very excited to see what the new contestants will bring and to witness their incredible strength, power and fearlessness.”
With the success of its popular format Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank in the U.S.) continuing to soar, Nippon Television Network Corporation (NipponTV) announced that the company will be offering its newest format Breaking Ordinary at MIPTV. The format, also available as a finished series in Japanese has been sold to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China, features real people, craftsman and companies who put their skills to the test to take ordinary products to create something extraordinary.
The announcement was made by Nippon TV’s Yukiko Kimishima, Divisional President of International Business Development.
“Breaking Ordinary, which gives companies and individuals the opportunity to display just how far they would go to be number one, is engaging and often hilarious. The show has done exceptionally well for us in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China and we look forward to offering the format to other international broadcasters around the world. Additionally, we look forward to offering some of our other recent formats, including Mansion Madness and Would You Pay?!,” commented Kimishima.
Still in Japan, “Japanese formats have been in demand for years, especially wacky game shows or cooking shows such as the likes of Hole in the Wall or Iron Chef. Other Asian countries like South Korea have also been very successful with scripted and drama as ready-mades.
It is usually the shows with a strong track record that are especially attractive for international sales and distribution – so I think Asian formats still have global appeal,” said Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo, MD of KABO International.
He shared that the development of formats has exploded globally in the last few years, and will continue to do so. There is a very dynamic international format trade and most countries are now open to sourcing this genre of programming across all territories. Broadcasters are Hell’s Kitchen looking for innovation in formats and are always looking for the next big thing. Established formats with high-volume, a great track record and strong execution, will always be in demand. This is how the format trade started; sharing ideas with proven track records and this still remains true today.
After successfully airing in 180 territories, Mongolia will now join the long list of Voice countries.
The high profile vocal talent competition will mark the first major international hit show to go into production by the National Times News Media group. In addition to reaching an audience of 1.5 million in Ulaanbaatar and another 1.5 million in the rest of the country, the channel is planning an intensive social media campaign to reach its viewers.
Bulgan Bayasgalant, CEO of The National Times News Media group said, “It was high time we brought world class content to Mongolia.
We strongly believe that The Voice will satisfy the needs of the Mongolian viewers. Music has always been part of our nomadic lifestyle. As one of the longest existing nations, Mongolians have inherited rich and distinctive music tradition from their ancestors. Young Mongolians today closely follow the global trends in music, adding yet another dimension to our nation’s new identity.”
Suddenly, unscripted programming across the globe is big business for many broadcasters. Top networks say it is less expensive, just getting TV stations to commit to a daytime talk show with a big-name host for at least a year. Then cross their fingers and hope that it works. While everyone is taking a step back from big-budget shows this year, more formats are taking the lead across the globe, especially in Asia.
Asia’s leading content and media company CJ E&M has launched a new type of singing talent show, titled I Can See Your Voice, where contestants compete to prove that they have what it takes to be recognised as talented singers.
“Asian countries are no longer considered a third party. We are part of the global community and Asia is definitely one of the fastest developing regions around the world.
Asian dynamic impacts new kinds of creativity and this is where the strength of ‘made in Asia’ comes from,” shared Hwang Jin Woo, Head of Formats at CJ E&M. “Besides the digital era, the format world is faced with something called ‘Creative crisis.’ Successful yet old enough formats are diminishing as we speak.
As some industry executive noted at this year’s NATPE, “Reduced fees and longwinded production processes have resulted in fewer risks which lead to stifling creativity.” People always look for something new and fresh. And this may be the time for Asian formats to prove to the world that we do have something different,” he added.
Keshet International’s Kelly Wright, Sales Director claimed her scripted side of the flagship drama format Prisoners of War (which won the Seoul International Drama Awards Grand Prize in 2013 beating 225 other entries and became the multi-award winning Homeland) and the spy thriller MICE are making waves in Asia, particularly in Korea. The format is currently airing on KBS as The Spy with the brilliant Kim Jae-joong in the lead role. On the non-scripted side, interactive talent show RISING STAR and the beautiful children’s talent show Master Class are building momentum in the region. Master Class is soon to launch on China’s BTV, Beijing’s satellite channel while Prisoners of War Korea is in development.
“We’re also very excited to say that our action-packed game show BOOM! with its exploding studio is to be remade in Cambodia. BOOM! performed very well in Spain, Hungary, Israel and Kazakhstan.
We’ve also recently closed a flurry of deals for the format in Latin America and have several more in the pipeline. We’re thrilled that the exciting new market in Cambodia will be the first to premiere the show in Asia. Within a short span, this territory is really proving that it has excellent taste in television and a fantastic audience for trialing innovative new products.
“We are launching some exciting new formats this year, the first of which will make its debut at MIPTV and we’re bulking up our local outfits in the UK and U.S., investing steadily in development. We’re determined to keep bringing bigger, better and original formats to the global market.
We’ll also be distributing more finished tape. 2014 saw finished shows like the star-studded U.S. series of RISING STAR and the American hidden-camera game show Deal With It sell across Asia,” added Kelly.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVSGE) has signed the first international format deal for Star China’s hit primetime entertainment series, Sing My Song. Vietnam’s VTV3 has commissioned a 10-episode local version of the series from Cattiensa Media, which will air in early 2016. ITVSGE has also signed a deal for 12 Yard’s primetime family entertainment format Big Star’s Little Star. VTV3 has commissioned a 26 episode series from Multimedia JSC. It will air in July 2015 on a Saturday evening slot. This is the second Asian deal for the format, after Korean channel JTBC commissioned its own version of the show. Big Star’s Little Star has now been produced in six territories worldwide, including Finland and Belgium.
Hyeonza Hong, SVP Sales, Asia for ITVSGE said, “There is a strong demand from the Asian market for family-friendly entertainment, and Sing My Song and Big Star’s Little Star are the perfect fit. We’re delighted that Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy these shows and expect further interest in the formats from broadcasters across the region.”
ITV Studios is all set to launch a raft of 14 new reality, entertainment, factual entertainment, quiz shows and factual formats at MIPTV 2015, led by 10,000 BC and Get Your Act Together. The new formats slate was unveiled to an audience of over 100 buyers from around the world at the annual ITV Studios Formats 2015 event. Mike Beale, EVP of Global Development and Formats said, “The rich diversity of our MIPTV slate spans formats across a variety of genres, originating from our producers around the world. We are excited to be bringing to market a portfolio of formats that will suit a wide range of slots and broadcasters.
“There is still a constant demand for fresh ideas, as everyone searches for the next big thing in formats. This means, we are seeing new formats emerge from all parts of the globe.
We are lucky to have an international production pipeline in ITV Studios, which means that our new slate of formats for MIPTV boasts formats from the UK and U.S. as well as territories like Germany and the Nordics.
“Broadcasters are also still looking for performing shows, so we are seeing tried-and-tested formats that have already proven themselves around the globe being picked up in new territories. We are lucky to have titles that have performed over a number of years in multiple territories but still feel fresh in other parts of the world. For example, Hell’s Kitchen has run for 14 seasons in the U.S., and has recently been commissioned in Indonesia and Brazil,” he added.
Scouting has commenced for amateur cooks across Asia to participate in renowned cooking competition series – A+E Networks Asia has decided upon a pan-regional Asian version of the global hit reality cooking format, MasterChef which will debut on Lifetime channel later this year. Endemol Southeast Asia has been commissioned to produce the 15-episode series, which will be filmed in Singapore together with three judges. “MasterChef Asia marks an important milestone for A+E Networks Asia,” said Prem Kamath, Deputy MD, Asia-Pacific, A+E Networks. “The series is our most significant local commission to date and is a sign of our commitment to the Asian production community.”
“Asian formats can be just as attractive as the imported ones. For a channel like HISTORY, we tend to create more of our own formats for original productions as they are more suited to the brand. Locally created formats can sometimes be more relevant to the local market as well as offer opportunities to customise the content for brand integration.
Whereas the international formats serve their own purpose as they immediately have brand recognition with audiences and advertisers,” said Michele Schofield, SVP Programming & Production at A+E Networks Asia.
“Formats aren’t just big budget, reality competition, shiny-floor shows. A+E Networks has seen Pawn Stars formatted in the UK, South Africa and Australia. We have taken the A+E format for Asian versions of My Ghost Story and 10 Things You Don’t Know.
We are very excited to have just green lighted MasterChef Asia for Lifetime! It is the biggest production undertaking to date for A+E Networks Asia and demonstrates our commitment to bring some of the best entertainment to Lifetime viewers in Asia. We’ll see this air on Lifetime later in 2015.
While we have been creating local productions on our channels since 2009, we hope that this first season of MasterChef Asia is just the start of more ‘big things’ to come on both Lifetime and HISTORY,” she added.
Global distributor Banijay International has signed an exclusive formats representation deal in the Middle East, teaming with local production partner Periscoop. The deal will see Periscoop, which is led by Péri Cochin and is one of most prominent producers in the Middle East, representing adaptation and distribution rights for Banijay International’s portfolio of hit non-scripted formats throughout the region.
Sebastian Burkhardt, SVP International Distribution at Banijay International, commented, “We’re delighted to team with such an expert partner in the Middle East. Péri Cochin and her team at Periscoop have a wealth of knowledge and experience of successfully adapting international formats for this market and this collaboration will provide a host of further opportunities for our hit shows in this vibrant region.”
Global Agency has added another hit title to their international format slate that was launched at DISCOP ISTANBUL. The ground – breaking format It’s Showtime will be a key title in Global Agency’s line-up. Izzet Pinto, the creator of the format and CEO of Global Agency said, “We’re very proud to be bringing to DISCOP ISTANBUL another brand new hit which we believe will be a global sensation. The show is visually iconic and we are confident that it will be a huge hit with broadcasters and viewers in every territory. We aim to see the different versions of our format in at least 30 countries in two years.”
FremantleMedia’s high-octane entertainment format Master Athletes has been commissioned for a second series by Swedish national broadcaster SVT. The format which sees ultra-fit members of the public compete and endure a range of grueling fitness challenges in the bid for glory, has transformed sport into gripping prime time entertainment.
Magnus Karlsson Lamm, MD of FremantleMedia Sweden said, “Master Athletes has shown itself to be a serious contender in SVT’s prime time schedule and we’re delighted a second series has been commissioned. It’s fast paced, high intensity and incredibly engaging for the audience. We’re very excited to see what the new contestants will bring and to witness their incredible strength, power and fearlessness.”
With the success of its popular format Dragons’ Den (Shark Tank in the U.S.) continuing to soar, Nippon Television Network Corporation (NipponTV) announced that the company will be offering its newest format Breaking Ordinary at MIPTV. The format, also available as a finished series in Japanese has been sold to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China, features real people, craftsman and companies who put their skills to the test to take ordinary products to create something extraordinary.
The announcement was made by Nippon TV’s Yukiko Kimishima, Divisional President of International Business Development.
“Breaking Ordinary, which gives companies and individuals the opportunity to display just how far they would go to be number one, is engaging and often hilarious. The show has done exceptionally well for us in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China and we look forward to offering the format to other international broadcasters around the world. Additionally, we look forward to offering some of our other recent formats, including Mansion Madness and Would You Pay?!,” commented Kimishima.
Still in Japan, “Japanese formats have been in demand for years, especially wacky game shows or cooking shows such as the likes of Hole in the Wall or Iron Chef. Other Asian countries like South Korea have also been very successful with scripted and drama as ready-mades.
It is usually the shows with a strong track record that are especially attractive for international sales and distribution – so I think Asian formats still have global appeal,” said Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo, MD of KABO International.
He shared that the development of formats has exploded globally in the last few years, and will continue to do so. There is a very dynamic international format trade and most countries are now open to sourcing this genre of programming across all territories. Broadcasters are Hell’s Kitchen looking for innovation in formats and are always looking for the next big thing. Established formats with high-volume, a great track record and strong execution, will always be in demand. This is how the format trade started; sharing ideas with proven track records and this still remains true today.
After successfully airing in 180 territories, Mongolia will now join the long list of Voice countries.
The high profile vocal talent competition will mark the first major international hit show to go into production by the National Times News Media group. In addition to reaching an audience of 1.5 million in Ulaanbaatar and another 1.5 million in the rest of the country, the channel is planning an intensive social media campaign to reach its viewers.
Bulgan Bayasgalant, CEO of The National Times News Media group said, “It was high time we brought world class content to Mongolia.
We strongly believe that The Voice will satisfy the needs of the Mongolian viewers. Music has always been part of our nomadic lifestyle. As one of the longest existing nations, Mongolians have inherited rich and distinctive music tradition from their ancestors. Young Mongolians today closely follow the global trends in music, adding yet another dimension to our nation’s new identity.”
