3 Most Promising New Formats from MIPCOM 2013

Genealogy Roadshow

Interesting format concepts from Cannes content market. FremantleMedia, Sony and All3media International introduced shows that could work internationally.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

For MIPCOM 2013 content sellers brought many new and exciting unscripted shows and after reviewing their selection we decided to pick three that looked the most promising. Our main evaluating criteria included variability, meaning it can be localized to work in small and large markets giving it larger flexibility. Our next criterion would include originality of ideas leading to fresh formats that intrigue new viewers. And our last tool for analysis included major international relevance, meaning a preference of larger and market dominating corporations.

Top three choices:

'Genealogy Roadshow' by FremantleMedia: Low-risk bet for pubcasters

'Genealogy Roadshow' recently acquired by FremantleMedia gave the format an opportunity to spread, changing the future outreach. It originated in 2011 with roots based in Ireland while having a persistent and strong viewership. Recent format acquisition by US pubcaster PBS from FremantleMedia gave this show credibility and opportunity to penetrate the market worldwide, if directed under strong management in local markets.

In this format ordinary people ask TV experts to search their family roots. 'Genealogy Roadshow' is a combination of proven formulas that worked in 'Antiques Roadshow' or 'Who Do You Think You Are?', which makes the new FremantleMedia show a low-risk bet for broadcasters. Channels might easily estimate its ratings predicts based on similar shows.

'Genelagy Roadshow' is most suitable for public broadcaster or TV channels with 40+ target audience. We recommend weekly runs in prime-time - either in one hour or half hour cut. Main disadvantage is lengthy production process caused by expert genealogy research.

'Grow. Make. Eat.' by Sony Pictures Television: Green budget-friendly competition

No singing, no dancing. Contestants in the new Sony competition have different skill: gardening. They plant vegetables and flowers, see them grow and compete in “green” challenges for the whole gardening season. The format profits from current trend of people's interest in origin of foods making it the biggest advantage of 'Grow. Make. Eat.'. Another important fact is money: this format can easily be adapted by broadcasters with tight budget. Sony chose the best time to introduce it.

'Grow. Make. Eat.' is suitable for weekend access-prime slots of pubcasters or cable hobby channels. BBC Two commissioned it recently.

'Reflex' by All3media International: Cheaper than 'The Cube'

All3media received Rose d'Or nomination with its futuristic-looking game show 'The Cube' and sold the format to United Kingdom, France or China. Now the company and Cube creator Adam Adler offer new format. 'Reflex' is a game-show testing people's high-speed reactions and physical and mental skills, building on 'The Cube' success but with significant differences: All3media promises more viewership from family audiences and overall lower production costs.

Trendy studio and slow motion scenes make 'Reflex' an eye-catching and presumably audience-enticing option for commercial channels targeting a young demographic.

BBC will try the format as a one hour prime-time show, our recommendations are to consider a half hour daily slot.

Smartshow.tv runner-up: 'I Can Do That' by Armoza Formats. The format sells well and license deals were signed for Spain, France, Germany or Australia. 'I Can Do That' is a promising new show, but broadcasters that already acquired Endemol's 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' may hesitate to buy it. The market is waiting for first rating results of Armoza's new show.