CBC, Warner team for Format Incubator

Canadian broadcaster CBC has launched its Format Incubator initiative for a second successive year, with Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP) on board as its new partner.

The scheme will hunt for new unscripted formats that can “break new ground in factual programming and have strong Canadian and international appeal,” the companies said in a statement.

The collaborative venture is targeted at the Canadian independent production community, with the aim of boosting the creation of original, exportable television formats. It runs from now until September 28.

Adam Steinman, VP of non-scripted international development and sales at WBITVP, said: “The Format Incubator truly levels the playing field. It instantly gives Canadian production companies of any size access to a world-renowned public broadcaster, an international studio and distributor, as well as our network of international production companies for critical feedback, insight and a chance to get their series ideas on air.”

The first pilot to come out of the Format Incubator initiative, Anything But Average, aired on CBC in the spring. A full series is currently in development with Frantic Films and is represented in the international marketplace by Zodiak Rights, part of the Banijay Group (formerly Banijay International), which partnered with CBC for the inaugural Format Incubator.

For the second Format Incubator, CBC and WBITVP said they are seeking concepts that resonate with audiences and have the potential to spark a national dialogue about a topic that matters to Canadians.

Full guidelines and submission details can be found at CBC’s Independent Producer page.