NBCU enters Irish format pact

NBCUniversal International Television Production (ITVP) has formed a partnership with an Irish broadcaster that will see the two develop new formats.

NBCU’s development division Tellycopter will work with TV3 Group to create new shows and coproductions across a variety of genres.

The formats are slated to air on TV3 and other international channels from 2015. The arrangement is the first codevelopment partnership agreement undertaken by TV3.

The firms will focus first on factual entertainment and studio-based formats and both parties will share all IP created through the partnership, while NBCU will sell the formats internationally.

Tellycopter was launched in February to develop high-impact, large-scale, returnable formats for the international market. The unit consists of two teams, one focused on shiny-floor entertainment shows and the other on returnable high-end factual entertainment formats.

NBCU’s formats include Made in Chelsea for E4 and Newlyweds for Bravo, both produced by ITVP’s Monkey Kingdom label, as well as The 21st Question for ITV, which was produced by the company’s factual entertainment label Chocolate Media.

David Mortimer, senior VP of factual and entertainment at ITVP, said the new formats would launch in Ireland and then be taken out to the international market.

“By joining forces with TV3’s creative team, we’re confident we’ll be in an even better position to produce some brilliant new entertainment shows, which will have mass audience and international appeal,” he said.