ITV Studios, the global creator, producer, and distributor of world-leading programmes, and Nippon TV, Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment company, have cemented their relationship by agreeing to a co-development deal to create a brand new international format for global exploitation.

The new creative collaboration will see the two companies work on a number of development ideas before deciding which to proceed with and take to market, producing the new series in their respective territories. Nippon TV will subsequently manage the distribution of the new format across Asia, with ITV Studios representing the show globally.

The agreement follows on from the announcement earlier this year that ITV Studios had acquired the international production rights for Nippon TV’s gameshow format, Red Carpet Survival, in those territories where it has an unscripted production base.

Mike Beale, Managing Director, Global Creative Network at ITV Studios, said, “With this deal, our relationship with Nippon TV goes from strength to strength. It combines both the creative and distribution resources from each of our businesses, allowing us to make the very best of our respective expertise. We are confident this will produce a number of exciting ideas and look forward to launching the brand new format in 2021.”

Mikiko Nishiyama, Managing Director, International Business Development, Nippon TV said, “Our paths crossed with Mike and his team through our format, Red Carpet Survival, at MIPTV 2019. Since then, our partnership has evolved into this co-development partnership, and we are now on the same boat, creating new ideas to ride the next wave of international formats together. We are grateful for the tremendous energy and dedication by ITV Studios and will look forward to our collaboration to drive phenomenon across the globe.”