Warner Bros. International Television Production Launches Four Proven New Primetime Formats at MIPCOM 2017
The proven new formats from across the Warner Bros. Television Group are joined by “True Story With…,” based on the smash hit Australian show “True Story with Hamish and Andy,” produced by Melbourne based Radio Karate for Channel Nine. Additional headlines from WBITVP’s debutant international formats include: “Love Connection” (Fox, USA) recently recommissioned for a second series, “The Big Escape” (NPO3, Netherlands) and “Cash or Trash” (ZDF, Germany) – an access primetime juggernaut that has also evolved into hugely successful primetime specials.
Iconic reality favorite “Love Connection,” is a modern primetime version of the hit original dating show and has been renewed for a second US season. It will be presented as both a weekly primetime event and a daily stripped show.
“The Big Escape” is a unique primetime entertainment format that successfully brings to screen the global phenomenon of escape rooms. Twelve celebrities battle each other in a series of unique and challenging assignments. Produced by BlazHoffski for AVROTROS/NPO3.
“Cash or Trash,” Germany’s No.1 Daytime show, lets you discover the real value in your dusty old antiques. Growing audiences consistently since its debut in 2015, it is produced by WBITVP Germany for ZDF, where it currently airs three times daily. Moving to a primetime slot in a series of summer specials, “Cash or Trash” achieved over 20% share. WBITVP is now representing the format globally and has already seen a 150 episode order for France 2, produced by WBITVP France as “Affaire Conclue.”
“True Story With…” is a third party format based on the breakout Australian hit “True Story with Hamish & Andy.” “True Story With…” brings to life the best tales you’ve never heard, told by the very people who experienced them and then humorously and cinematically realized through dramatic recreations. In Australia the show is created and produced by Radio Karate’s Tim Bartley, Hamish Blake, Andy Lee and Ryan Shelton.
Commenting on the acquisition of “True Story With...” internationally as well as the wider WBITVP slate, Andrew Zein, SVP Creative, Format Development and Sales said: “Four new formats, from three continents, that have all delivered audiences for their broadcasters, and we’re thrilled that the team at Radio Karate have partnered with us to bring ‘True Story With…’ to international buyers and commissioners. We’re confident that there are thousands of great stories out there and this format is a unique way of giving them a chance to shine.”
Hamish Blake and Andy Lee said of the deal: “We are stoked to be teaming up with Warner Bros. on this project. We are well aware that Australia isn’t the only country with funny, true stories in it so we cannot wait to see what everyday tales make it onto screens throughout the world. We are currently learning Spanish, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Polish, Danish and Greek so we can enjoy the eps in those countries if it ends up getting made there.”
About Warner Bros. International Television Production: Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) produces local scripted and non-scripted programming through its network of local production operations in 16 countries across Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand. WBITVP’s production operations are responsible for both original programming as well as local versions of formats owned and controlled by the Warner Bros. Television Group, such as “The Bachelor,” “Little Big Shots,” “500 Questions,” “Impractical Jokers,” “First Dates” and “Who Do You Think You Are?” Where WBITVP has no local production capability, it licenses Warner Bros. formats to third parties.