Endemol Shine joins JTBC in Korea

Endemol Shine Group (ESG) has secured the latest international co-development partnership with a South Korean media outfit.

Lisa Perrin

ESG has linked up with Seoul-based content and media firm JTBC to create, produce and distribute formats for the international market.

Endemol Shine, which has already teamed up with South Korean giant CJ E&M on reality format The Society Game, will gain “a new pipeline of Korean originated content” for the worldwide market.

JTBC, meanwhile, will look to expand its creative and commercial footprint in Asia and globally, with the development of an original non-scripted series already underway.

The as-yet untitled project is being led by Fotini Paraskakis, MD of ESG’s Asian operations, and Lisa Perrin, CEO of ESG’s Creative Networks, along with JTBC duo Su Young Lee, director of corporate strategy and programming, and Seung Wook Cho, chief producer.

JTBC will air the first programme created under the partnership in a primetime slot later this year, with ESG selling the format globally.

Perrin said: “JTBC is a young and innovative channel with a strong track record in original content and this deal enables us to further tap into Korea’s prolific creativity.”

Lee added: “Our ambition to be at the forefront of Korean entertainment programming paired with Endemol Shine Group’s global capabilities in development, production and distribution are a great combination.”

The South Korean network launched in 2011 and airs shows such as Asian music series Hidden Singer and Abnormal Summit. It is part of JoongAng Media Network, a South Korean conglomerate that operates across print, publications, TV and online.

South Korea has become a format hotspot over the past two years, with companies including ITV, Banijay Group and NBCUniversal agreeing deals in the region.