A popular entertainment format from Irish production company Vision Independent Productions has been commissioned by Dutch channel RTL5, IFTN has learned.
'The Hit', which sees established musicians select songs from unknown songwriters and perform them in front of a live audience, will be remade for an eight episode season intended for Dutch audiences in Spring 2014.
Warner Brothers International Television Production, a distribution subsidiary of the Hollywood studio, co-ordinated the sale on behalf of Vision Independent just a few weeks after the announcement that both companies will continue a distribution deal dating back to 2011.
The deal sees Warner Brothers retain first-look rights for all upcoming VIP formats, and the renewal now extends the contract for a further three years. RTL5's version of 'The Hit' will also be produced by Warner Brothers, through subsidiary company BlazHoffski.
Initially commissioned as part of RTÉ's 'Format Farm' scheme, 'The Hit' aired on RTÉ last July and announcements for a second season are expected to be made soon.
The Irish series, presented by Nicky Byrne and Aidan Power, sees six chosen songwriters pitch their songs to two established artists, who then select which pitches they believe can be turned into a chart success.
The songs to receive the most downloads in the following weeks then go on to a live broadcast to be performed once more alongside the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, before the public select the ultimate winner.
To date, Vision Independent's 'The Hit' format has also been sold to Russia, China and the Ukraine, with further deal announcements expected to follow in the coming weeks.