Format

At MIPCOM on Tuesday October 22, Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at the BBC, and Sumi Connock, Creative Director of Formats at BBC Studios, delivered an insightful presentation on the enduring and growing appeal of game and quiz shows. Joined by producers of some of BBC Studios' latest hits, the session titled The Power of Game Shows highlighted trends in this vibrant genre and its impact on broadcasters worldwide.

Sumi Connock underscored the crucial role game shows play in television programming, noting their dominance in format adaptations. "It’s the most adapted format genre ever," she said. "The top three most adapted formats of all time are game shows. In the past 12 months alone, we’ve seen a significant increase. A quarter of new format adaptations in 2023 were game shows, and this year, that number has risen to a third." Connock also revealed that five of the six top-traveling formats in the world today are game shows, including BBC Studios’ hit, The 1% Club.

The session touched on the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the genre, which appeals to broadcasters during tough times for TV. Kate Phillips explained the financial and strategic advantages of game shows: "Quiz and game shows are incredibly cost-effective. We can record four or five episodes in a single day, and it’s possible to shoot an entire series in just two days. That efficiency, combined with the certainty it provides for broadcasters, makes these formats a staple in scheduling, particularly in daytime TV where shows can create viewing habits. In uncertain times, game shows bring a reassuring certainty."

Phillips emphasized that quiz and game shows aren't just affordable and reliable—they also resonate with audiences by being highly engaging. “They are your blocks in the schedule, and you know the audience you're aiming at," she noted. "The familiarity and simplicity of these formats help viewers stay engaged, and that's why they've become such a solid foundation for broadcasters."

One of the highlights of the session was a discussion about the development of Answer Run, a new quiz show from BBC Studios. As Connock explained, the team aimed to create something fresh and interactive for BBC Daytime, particularly with a new commissioning editor in place. “We were really keen to come up with a fresh new quiz show," she said. "One of the team posed the question, ‘What is the Tinder for quiz shows?’ This sparked the concept of swiping left or right to answer questions."

The idea behind Answer Run was to create a fast-paced, visually appealing show with mass appeal. Connock, who is passionate about play-along elements in game shows, noted, "The graphics have a candy-crush vibe, and the gameplay is simple—just swipe left or right. It’s designed for an afternoon audience but has a prime-time look and feel, making it scalable for different time slots. We also incorporated pairs playing together to create conversation and engagement between contestants."

This innovative approach reflects a broader trend in game show formats: combining ease of play with visually captivating elements to maintain viewer interest. Connock’s focus on audience interaction, quick engagement, and scalable formats highlights the adaptability of game shows in today’s entertainment landscape.

The other title pitched was Nation's Dumbest and Silence is Gold. Formats that have been launched at MIPCOM as new and innovative with lots of humour.