TV FORMATS SCREENINGS FESTIVAL
Uplifting factual entertainment, scalable talent competitions and engaging game shows dominate the latest edition of the TV Formats Screenings Festival. Clicking on each show title below will take you to the trailer.
ABC Commercial is touting the strengths of its factual-entertainment lineup, led by the six-part Eat The Invaders. “Eat The Invaders is more than just ‘shock TV,’” says Karen Quinn, manager of content sales for the U.S., Canada and Latin America. “It tackles a critical environmental issue: invasive species. In each episode, we showcase communities turning ecological threats into delicious solutions while inviting local celebrities to join the feast. This format blends environmental awareness with captivating storytelling, a winning combination for today’s audiences.” Quinn also highlights I Was Actually There, which has been optioned in France, Canada and Israel; and Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, an award-winning format that “highlights the power of purpose-driven programming, setting a benchmark for entertainment with social impact.”
As MIPFormats convenes in London for the first time, the event continues to serve as a key platform for new concept launches—with a bevy coming from Japan this time around. TV Asahi arrives in the British capital with SONG vs DANCE, co-produced with Smart Dog Media in the U.S. and set to launch at MIP London with a screening on Monday morning. “This new show will have performers compete in head-to-head battles in a video game-inspired format, leaving only one winner and answering the question: Which is better, song or dance?” says Megumi Shirokawa, co-director of the international business department at TV Asahi, which is also home to hit talent concepts like Celebrity Fight Club and Turn Back.
FOX Entertainment Global is showcasing a diverse lineup at its London TV Screenings event and is sponsoring the MIPFormats Pitch at MIP London. Among its key offerings is the brand-new Extracted, “a high-stakes survivalist competition series that redefines the genre,” says David Smyth, executive VP of content sales and partnerships. “With the worldwide appetite for innovative reality formats, this series brings an intense, strategic layer where family members play a pivotal role in their loved one’s fate. It’s a unique twist on survival that has already captured the attention of buyers looking for the next prime-time entertainment format.”
Family is also at the heart of ABC Commercial’s The Role of a Lifetime, albeit in a very different way. “Imagine parenthood with a user manual,” says Isabella DelGrande, sales executive of format sales, New Zealand, global transport and non-theatrics. “The Role of a Lifetime blends hilarious sitcom sketches with honest vox pops and expert advice. It’s a relatable, groundbreaking series tackling modern parenting challenges like anxiety, burnout and social media. A must-have for audiences craving authentic insights into the ever-evolving family dynamic.” In heartwarming entertainment, DelGrande also touts Muster Dogs, which has been optioned in the U.S. and the U.K. on the heels of its breakout Australian success. The format “perfectly aligns with current trends: reality, adorable dogs, competitive challenges and an inspiring environmental focus.”
