Format

Hat Trick International (HTI), the UK-based factual and scripted distributor, reports a marked upswing in option deals for its classic formats, with several of its most popular titles rolling back into production across the world and options tripling for its evergreen formats since 2022.

Have I Got News For You, the BBC’s news-based comedy quiz show that launched in 1990, has been licensed for a 10th series by AVRO TROS for NPO 1 & 3 in the Netherlands, with new options in place for Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Currently in production is the show’s 66th outing for BBC One and 24th series for NRK Norway.

Another timeless comedy format, Whose Line is it Anyway?, has also been selling strongly around the world with multiple new options plus a new commission from Amazon for Italy and a 13th series commission from The CW in the US. The format, which first aired on the UK’s Channel 4 back in 1988, sees four guest comedians improvise their way through a series of hilarious games and challenges. New options have also been signed with broadcasters in France, New Zealand and Australia.

Australia has also optioned Rich House, Poor House, a funny and insightful documentary format that sees two families from opposite ends of the income spectrum swap homes, budgets and lifestyles. The format has been relicensed for a 12th series by Polsat Poland, as well as by Mediawan for Nelonen in Finland and Talpa in the Netherlands for a 5th and 9th season respectively. Series 10, meanwhile, is currently in production for Channel 5, along with a third outing of spin-off Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday.  Rich House, Poor House, has sold around the world since it TXed on UK terrestrial Channel 5 in 2017, with local versions also airing in Germany and Belgium.

Finally, Dinner Date is heading for Poland for a 7th series with Polsat. Options have also been booked from Italy and Finland for the much-loved factual format, which gives contestants the chance to find true love over three meals cooked by a blind date in their own home. Dinner Date first aired on ITV in 2009, going on to deliver 12 hit series totalling 326 episodes. The format has also been successfully re-versioned for South Africa, Australia, Finland, France and Germany.
 
Sarah Tong, HTI’s international sales director, said: “Demand for our classic formats is going through the roof. Although our catalogue includes a range of fresh and original formats in both scripted and non-scripted, it’s the tried-and-tested rather than the shiny and new that are currently attracting the most interest. It seems that, in today’s uncertain world, commissioners are looking for formats that can be relied upon to deliver — and not just numbers, but entertainment. Shows like HIGNFY and Whose Line is it Anyway? are not only perfect vehicles for engaging with current affairs, but they also make people laugh and in difficult times this is the perfect combination.”