Lack of risk-taking in US, UK paving way for rise of new format kings 

CONTENT CANADA: A fondness for safe-bets, reboots and renewals in the world’s major formats market is creating a gap which is being filled by the likes of Belgium, Denmark and Norway, according to ITV Studios’ Mike Beale.

Mike Beale

Beale, managing director of creative network at ITV Studios, said fewer risks are being taken in the big markets for economic reasons, but that’s providing opportunities for creativity from elsewhere.

Speaking at Content Canada this week Beale said risk aversion in some of the major markets, including the US and UK, is creating space for the emergence of new kings of the format game.

“Big territories [like the US and UK] aren’t taking the risks on new ideas, and that’s why we’re starting to see the Belgiums, Denmarks, Norways coming through, like we did 10 years ago when it was Israel, Turkey or Korea,” he said.

Adam Steinman, executive VP, global formats and acquisitions Blink49 Studios, concurred, citing Norway and Belgium is examples of the growing trend.

“Belgium has a big format, Nation’s Dumbest, and Norway has The Box, which has completely taken off like wildfire. So you’ll see these smaller territories now are really punching above their weight, creating shows on budget for their territories, with really universal themes and these shows are traveling very well,” he said.