TV3 hopes to launch unscripted hits such as the successful ‘Made In Chelsea’ and ‘The Real Housewives franchise’ through a formats deal struck with NBC Universal.
The network has established a development partnership with NBC Universal’s International Television Production division. The partnership will create new factual entertainment and studio-based formats.
Tellycopter, the Hollywood studio’s central format arm set up earlier this year, will lead the project and both companies will share the IP created through the deal. NBC Universal will internationally distribute any formats created.
NBC Universal’s senior vice president of factual and entertainment David Mortimer added that it wanted to create new entertainment that will have “mass and international appeal.”
TV3 has recently ordered local versions of ‘Gogglebox’ and ‘Blind Date’. Their slate of original series include ‘Keith Barry’s Brain Hacker’, ‘The Lie’, ‘The Algorithm’, ‘Crossfire’ and ‘Sitting On A Fortune’.
Andrew Byrne, TV3’s group head of development and formats said: “TV3 is open to working on new formats and co-development projects with the view to bringing them to life on screen. NBCUniversal is one of the best producers of major formats in the business, and we look forward very much to working together and beginning the creative process.”