Fremantle warms to FANY Studio’s Freeze format, takes global sales rights

Vasha Wallace (left) and Mari Kawamura

European production giant Fremantle has acquired the global production rights to Japanese comedic gameshow Freeze.

Originally developed by Tokyo-based prodco FANY Studio and Yoshimoto Kogyo for Prime Video Japan, Fremantle shopped the format to international buyers at the recent London TV Screenings.

The show sees the presenter order contestants to ‘freeze’ as they navigate a room filled with traps and tricks.

Those who move, laugh or react the most will be eliminated, with the last player remaining claiming the grand prize.

Vasha Wallace, exec VP for global acquisitions and development at Fremantle, said: “When the team at FANY Studio first showed us a clip of Freeze we all thought it was hilarious and we knew this would resonate with audiences everywhere.”

Mari Kawamura, head of global business at FANY Studio, said: “This was our first global deal since our company was established in May 2023, and we are honoured to work with such a worldwide company like Fremantle.”