London/Cannes – Zig Zag Productions and ABC International, the format sales division of Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, announce an agreement that will see Zig Zag adapt hit TV show segment Power of Fantasy for the international market. Power of Fantasy has aired on ABC in Japan as a segment from popular long-running late night show Be-Bop! High Heel!
The format, which Zig Zag will rename Tearway Toys for international broadcasters, features hidden cameras capturing unruly kids pranked into believing their toys are talking to them, discussing their bad behaviour. The resulting conversations are cute, hilarious and sometimes mind blowing as kids reveal their innermost thoughts to a toy affectionately voiced live by a kindly, comedic presenter.
The deal, announced at MIPCOM is the latest in Zig Zag’s successful series of Japanese TV game show format adaptations for the international market including NTV’s Exit (Syfy) and Ultimate Brain (CBBC). Zig Zag also co-produced Time Out with Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo for Japan’s KTV.
“Zig Zag has always had a passion for all things Japanese and when we saw this format we immediately knew we had to have it. The combination of good-hearted prank and kids makes it a must have TV format worldwide” said Danny Fenton, CEO Zig Zag Productions.
“It is a great honour to be able to do business with Zig Zag Productions. With our unique ideas, we hope that Power of Fantasy & Tearway Toys will be the next leading TV hit show program throughout the world” said Shusaku Inoue, Managing Director from ABC International Inc.
