Format Trade in Europe

Michel Rodrigue
President
Distraction Formats
Canada

Can you name the most important European countries for your sales?

We are very active in both Central and Eastern Europe especially in France, Italy, Poland and Russia.  Distraction has been working with all the major channels and production companies for the past 10 years and we continue to provide hit formats to all regions.

Search for a Presenter

Can you name the titles that performed well on European TV Channels in 2007?

"Dirty Rotten Cheater", the interactive and comical game show format that involves strategies, tactics and a whole lot of cheating is due to be broadcast on the BBC in October.  Hosted by Brian Conley, Dirty Rotten Cheater encompasses sincerity and deception in which contestants answer survey style questions in a quest to win the money.  With one of the contestants secretly being fed the answers, the honest players must try to expose "The Cheater" in order to take home any winnings.  Filled with suspense as to who is being honest and who is cheating, the show climaxes with two final contestants competing for the highest prize. "Dirty Rotten Cheater" has been successfully produced in the following European countries, Italy (Canale 5) France (F2), Spain (Telemadrid). Premiered in Italy on Canale 5, "Guess who?"  continues to thrive.  "Serial Frank", the much-hyped scripted comedy format from Distraction is going into production with PLD Productions in Greece, due to premiere later this year. Deals have also been signed in Spain with BocaBoca and negotiations are taking place in Germany and Italy.

What are your new titles for MIPCOM 2007?

"The Next Great Leader" originally produced by CBC is the high stake, political debate competition format for young men or women who are ready to share the ideas for making their country a better, stronger and more prosperous place.  "Search for a Presenter" is the latest top reality entertainment format from Life TV Media.  "Number One Fan" is the hit prime time entertainment format from ITV1.  Presented by Bradley Walsh, one of the UK' s top soap stars, "Number One Fan" gives a studio audience the chance of being invited onto the studio floor in a bid to win an ultimate prize just by knowing about their favorite soaps.   "DNA" is the new and unique interactive entertainment game show format from RTI Mediaset, in Italy. 

What European countries are you targeting in 2008?

We are keen to further develop our relationships in Germany and Russia where the market for international formats is becoming stronger and stronger.