RTÉ calls for Format Farm entries

Irish pubcaster RTÉ has called for new submissions for its Format Farm content development scheme.

Janet Frawley

Format Farm 2015, is the broadcaster’s initiative designed to support the production and broadcast of original TV formats for both Irish audiences and the export market.

Since its launch in 2012, Format Farm has delivered a steady stream of original formats. These include Toto Productions’ business-rescue challenge The Takeover, commissioned by Channel 4 in the UK, and Coco Television’s family format Who’s Holiday Is It Anyway?, distributed internationally by DRG’s dedicated formats division.

The initiative has also attracted co-funding from some of the most powerful names in international distribution, including Sony, Warner Bros International Television Production and FremantleMedia.

Janet Frawley, head of formats at RTÉ Global since September, said: “Format Farm has proven to be an innovative and exciting way of generating new Irish TV series for viewers.

“RTÉ and the production companies also partner with some of the industry’s biggest distributors, which helps take these new formats out to the world. We’re calling on anyone who thinks they have a great idea for a new pilot to submit it to us by March 27, 2015.”

All Format Farm submissions will be screened by RTÉ’s genre commissioners for consideration, and they will pass on their recommendations to RTÉ’s various channel controllers.

RTÉ Global will also be consulted on the international potential of each idea. As in previous years, those shortlisted are asked to seek match finance from international distributors. The channel controllers will then make their final selection of four pilots from the ideas that have received matched funds.

The four winning pilots will be broadcast on RTÉ1 and RTÉ2 this autumn.