John de Mol’s Talpa Studios, whose hit formats include quiz show “The Floor,” is heading to next week’s TV market Mipcom with a slate of new entertainment formats, led by “Sing With Me” and “The Golden Elevators.”
“Sing With Me” is a feelgood music entertainment format developed in collaboration with Dutch producer IDTV, the creator of “The Traitors.”
In the show, aspiring singers get the chance to share the stage with some of the country’s biggest artists. Every performance begins as a solo, but when one of the established artists hears something special, they can grab a microphone and join in, transforming the performance into a duet.
The format launches on SBS6 in the Netherlands on Nov. 7.
“The Golden Elevators,” a quiz show that combines general knowledge with social strategy, has been ordered by ITV in the U.K. and SBS6 in the Netherlands, where it is set to air early next year.
Ten contestants enter a skyscraper where they must choose between two elevators, each representing a possible answer to 10 questions. Choose correctly and you go up; choose the wrong one and you’re out.
Before the doors close, contestants may work together and share what they know – or deliberately send a rival into the wrong elevator – turning every question into a battle of knowledge, strategy and trust. Waiting at the top is a life-changing jackpot, to share with whoever makes it there.
Talpa Studios continues to expand its global footprint, with 26 formats active across 34 countries, and Sebastian van Barneveld, Talpa Studios’ director of global distribution, underscores the role that partnerships play in that growth, alongside the company’s investment in original IP.
Shows developed through partnerships now account for more than 40% of Talpa Studios’ catalog.
“In a rapidly changing market, strong ideas need more than creativity alone. Collaboration and flexibility are key to making them travel,” he said. “Our Mipcom slate reflects that approach: by combining original IP with creative partnerships and developing formats that can work across markets, platforms and audiences, we’re creating multiple routes for ideas to grow.”
The partnership model has delivered titles such as murder mystery format “A Party to Die For,” developed with ITV Studios, and “Let’s Play Ball,” originally co-developed by EndemolShine Nederland (part of Banijay Benelux), Talpa Studios and Signal.Stream. The format has since secured commissions in French Canada and Finland.
Signal.Stream, a strategic partner for Talpa Studios, focused on creating formats for the streaming generation, has developed several other titles that are gaining traction in the market. “Most Wanted” has new commissions in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania, while “Catch Us” has added new commissions from TV4 in Sweden and ProSieben in Germany, alongside adaptations in the Netherlands and Hungary.
Talpa Studios’ established brands continue to build momentum around the world. “The Floor,” for example, has reached more than 30 territories. Meanwhile, “The Winner Takes It All” secured its first international sale to France Télévisions and a recommission in the Netherlands.
Daily reality competition “The Alliance,” nominated for the Netherlands’ most prestigious television audience award, launched on Prime Video in India with a celebrity adaptation, and the streaming giant has confirmed a second season.
“Caught in the Middle,” a high-energy studio game show in which a duo must outsmart 100 opponents closing in around them, is returning for a second season in the Netherlands and continues to travel internationally, with adaptations in Spain for Atresmedia and Australia for Seven Network.
De Mol is a reality TV legend, who previously led Endemol and Talpa Media, the creators of such iconic brands as “Big Brother,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Fear Factor” and “The Voice.” Talpa Studios, formed in September 2023, is led by CEO Maarten Meijs.
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