Belgium shepherds UK dog format

Rescue Dog to Super Dog

MIPTV: Belgian French-language pubcaster RTBF has picked up format rights to a rescue dog format from UK-based distributor Magnify Media.

Rescue Dog to Super Dog (3×60’), created by the UK’s Plimsoll Productions, will go into production this spring to air on the Belgian net later this year.

RTBF is the second foreign broadcaster to adapt the show, which first aired on Channel 4 in the UK last year, with an 8×60’ US version in the works for Discovery’s Animal Planet. The format has also been optioned by Monster Entertainment in Norway, Endemol Shine France and Blink TV in Australia.

There’s also interest in the original UK finished version, which has sold to Nippon TV in Japan, Manoto TV in Iran, New Zealand’s MediaWorks, Rai in Italy, TV2 Denmark and Sat.1 Gold in Germany.

The format involves abandoned dogs trained to assist people with a wide range of disabilities, from narcolepsy to Tourette’s, with transformational results.

Magnify Media is also distributing NRK Productions’ gameshow Doctors vs Internet, which scooped an award for Best Studio-Based Gameshow Format at MipTV’s 2017 International Format Awards held at the weekend.