Echho’s u:Supporters scores Euro deals

Production outfits in the Netherlands and Finland have picked up a new football-based entertainment format from Scandi distributor Eccho Rights.

u:Supporters brings together fans and professional players in a video-game tournament and was created by Swedish prodco Uncle Ned. The original featured teams from the Allsvenskan League and aired on commercial channel TV4 as well as online on Fotbollskanalen.

Amsterdam-based Tuvalu is developing a version based on the Dutch Eredivisie football league, featuring teams including Ajax and Feyenoord, while Finnish prodco Yellow Film is adapting the format based on a national ice hockey league.

Taco Zimmerman, creative director at Tuvalu, said the format would help attract young male viewers.

He said: “u:Supporters taps into the biggest activity for this demographic – playing video games – and the biggest sport on earth, football. It builds a bridge between the two worlds and creates an exciting TV event.”