Beta Entertainment Spain is developing Dancing With Robots, a dance talent show pairing humans with AI-powered robots, which has already been optioned in Germany, France, Italy, the UK and US.

Dancing With Robots blends dance talent show elements with high-tech

The only way to keep pushing the unscripted entertainment genre forward is by mashing together ideas and concepts, according to Beta Entertainment Spain CEO Javier Pérez de Silva.

While fiction offers “limitless creative possibilities,” the unscripted landscape “has already explored every concept” available, he believes.

And that’s exactly what Beta in Spain has done with Dancing With Robots, which blends the classic elements of dance talent shows with cutting-edge technology, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The format sees eight celebrities paired with eight robots to perform choreographed routines judged by a panel of experts.

Javier Pérez de Silva

“This is a format designed for major networks and primetime entertainment. It has elements of Dancing with the Stars in the sense that it’s a classic dance talent show, but with a highly original and fresh twist, giving robots their own personalities,” says De Silva.

“The robots are characters in the show. They’re alive, they have personalities and each one interacts in its own way.”

To test the concept, Beta Entertainment Spain produced a pilot episode in late 2024 in partnership with Spanish prodco Boomerang TV and with popular host Arturo Valls (Still Standing, That’s My Jam España) fronting the show.

“Dancing with Robots is the new Masked Singer. It’s the next big entertainment format and we’re proud to be part of this exciting adventure alongside Beta Entertainment Spain,” says Jorge Pezzi, CEO of Boomerang TV.

De Silva reveals the pilot delivered key takeaways about the concept – first, that it works and second, “the more iconic the choreography, the better.”

“We found that it’s actually much easier to produce than we thought. And working with the robots is incredibly simple. They don’t eat, don’t rest, don’t complain and the celebrities remain amazed throughout the entire shoot, which makes it all the more fun.”

Spanish company Casual Robotics is behind the development and manipulation of the robots.

The format’s international sales are being handled by Phileas Productions, led by Sergio Sancho. “We’ve managed to turn robots into real characters with distinct personalities who, alongside celebrities, create truly unique television moments,” he says.

First unveiled at Mipcom last year, Dancing with Robots has already been optioned in five key markets: Germany, France, Italy, the UK and US.

“We have interest from around 20 other territories,” adds De Silva, who is focused on securing a Spanish adaptation before ramping up international versions, which he believes could be produced from a global hub in Madrid.

“In the past, I’ve set up production hubs in Spain for over 10 countries and partners like Turner, Viacom and Fremantle. I believe this format is perfectly suited to that model.”

Launched in 2019, Beta Entertainment Spain is the local entertainment arm of German powerhouse Beta Film.

Since its inception, the company has produced titles including true crime series 11 tiros (HBO Max), docuseries Papá cumple 80 años (RTVE), docureality WAGS, ellas también juegan (Mediaset España), docuseries 7200 segundos (Prime Video) and renovation reality show Los Iglesias – Hermanos a la obra (RTVE).

De Silva has an extensive track record in Spain, having previously led local prodcos La Competencia and Señor Mono. He also had a partnership with Mexico’s Televisa that resulted in formats like Pequeños gigantes and Stand Up for Your Country.

Beyond Dancing with Robots, Beta Entertainment Spain is in pre-production on a new project with the family of Spanish singing legend Julio Iglesias, following the aforementioned Papá cumple 80 años and Los Iglesias – Hermanos a la obra.

The company is also producing a new season of factual series Gipsy Kings for Mediaset España, a four-part factual series on Spanish surgeon Pedro Cavadas’ missions in Africa titled Operación África – El viaje de Cavadas, and a cooking show. The latter features Spanish chef Miguel Maestre, who is a TV star in Australia, having won Survivor and Dancing with the Stars, but remains relatively unknown in Spain.

Additionally, Beta Entertainment Spain is working with Disney to represent The Amazing Race, a format that has never been adapted before in the country.