Media Ranch, Quebecor name incubator winner

A dating show with a twist has been announced as the winner of Canadian format incubator Horsepower by the initiative’s organisers, Media Ranch and Quebecor Content.

An Tran

The as-yet untitled format was created and pitched by developer An Tran, who will now receive investment from Quebecor for further development, while Media Ranch will produce and distribute her format internationally.

Hayley Babcock, head of formats, international programming and production at US-based A+E Networks, was a mentor to Tran during the six-month Horsepower initiative.

“Horsepower exceeded our wildest dreams and eight top-notch, creative formats were developed for the international market,” said Sophie Ferron, Media Ranch’s president and executive producer.

Horsepower drew more than 70 submissions, from which four men and four women were chosen from diverse backgrounds, various age groups and with different levels of format and television experience.

“The choice of the winning project was very difficult as the quality and calibre of the proposed formats were high,” said Ginette Viens, Quebecor Content’s VP of brand management and content.

Several of the remaining formats will also be developed for global distribution, said Media Ranch. The Horsepower project, announced by Media Ranch and Quebecor last year, tasked participants to develop an original format tailored to the needs of Quebecor channels.

During the initiative, the eight participants were also mentored by Media Ranch’s senior VP of distribution Tanja Van Der Goes and VP of Scandinavian sales and acquisitions Louise Juel Severin, overseen by head of content and storytelling Philip Kalin.

“It was challenging to choose a top format, as they were all superb. The creators will remain IP owners of their respective formats and several will have the opportunity to continue a partnership with Media Ranch and Quebecor Content,” said Kalin.