Turkey’s TRT makes Emergency Call to Dutch format for public service campaign

Emergency Call was originally created by De Chinezen for Belgium’s VRT Eén

Turkish public broadcaster TRT is adapting Amsterdam-based distribution company Lineup Industries’ documentary format Emergency Call as part of a public service campaign.

The 13-episode commission comes as part of an emergency services information initiative by the Turkish government, which is aiming to inform the public of a new unified 112 emergency number.

The fast-paced show, which follows the ups and downs of an emergency call centre through the ears and eyes of the people who work there, will be produced by Sera Film Services and will air on TRT1.

The Emergency Call format was originally created by De Chinezen for Belgium broadcaster VRT Eén, the Flemish public channel.

Lineup Industries handles global distribution of the format, which has been made locally in French-speaking Belgium, Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the US.

The latter adaptation, produced by 8 Hours Television and hosted by actor Luke Wilson, has also been sold to Australia’s Nine Network, New Zealand’s TV3 and Talpa TV in the Netherlands. New episodes have aired on ABC in the US this year.

A spokesperson for TRT said: “TRT produces content focused on ‘people and value’ so, within this context, the Emergency Call format is a great fit for our channel.

“The series, which has aired in many countries and received great acclaim, allows us to see a variety of stories from the perspective of the emergency call centre employees, and we believe our audience will follow these compelling and narrative-driven stories with curiosity and pleasure.”

Julian Curtis, co-founder of Lineup Industries, added: “In each territory the series has aired, the content has been riveting, bringing to life the unique and incredible day-to-day work of the people who answer these important calls. If it also helps to save lives in Turkey by raising awareness, that makes it incredibly rewarding as well.”