Format

"A format must have clarity, universality, and freshness," asserted Abigail Priddle, Creative Director – Specialist Factual at BBC Studios. "The clarity ingredient means having a really strong, simple proposition. The concept of universality is about a great format that can cut across continents, and freshness is about finding your niche," she explained. For Ilan Astrug, VP Format Acquisitions, Warner Bros Discovery, the key ingredient is finding a unique idea, and timing is also crucial. "Sometimes you have a great idea, a great execution, but the timing is not right," he said. He also highlighted that when producers have an idea, "don't get obsessed with making it work internationally in 30 territories—focus on your territory first. It needs to be successful in your territory," he added. Blanksma, SVP, International Sales and Partnerships, EMEA, Blue Ant Studios, agreed with Astrug but added that producers should keep in mind that their ideas might also work internationally. "That needs to be considered from the start," she said.

WHAT ABOUT ITALY?
BBC Studios and Blue Ant Media executives acknowledged that they haven't done any co-productions with Italy yet but intend to do so in the future. "In Italy, a local co-production partner could also bring access and ideas that may not be generated from other places," said Blanksma, who also explained that Blue Ant offers other ways to collaborate. In Germany, they work with local producers to adapt Blue Ant shows, and on the other hand, Blue Ant helps producers adapt their shows in English. For Astrug, Italy has all the elements to become the next international generator of formats because for many years, they have probably been one of the biggest in Europe, alongside France and Spain, in adapting international formats. "They have all the skills, the experience, the know-how—what a format is, and how to create and mold a new original idea into a format that can work in Italy but also work outside the country," he expressed.

MAIN TRENDS
Regarding the current trending topics in formats, Blanksma asserted that the true crime trend is still very high, as is factual entertainment, but “Blue Ant always needs natural history and history content,” she added. Astrug pointed out that digital streamers and linear channels have different needs. "For the platforms, the trend now is reality—whether it's dating reality, adventure reality—anything that delivers a big impact and adrenaline, catering to a younger audience," he explained. "But for linear TV, shows like 'Who Do You Think You Are', 'The Repair Shop', and 'Cash or Trash' are still hugely successful. It couldn't be better," he expressed.