Format

As 2024 draws to a close, the world of unscripted television continues to thrive, with global audiences embracing both classic and innovative formats. This year’s successes were highlighted in the "Tracking the Giants: The Top 100 Travelling Unscripted Formats 2023-2024" report by K7 Media. Let’s take a closer look at the standout formats, trends, and achievements that defined unscripted programming in 2024.

Format of the Year: The Traitors (All3Media)
“The Traitors” claimed the top spot as the most successful global format, dethroning "The Masked Singer" after its four-year reign. With 11 new adaptations in 2023 and another nine planned for 2024, this psychological game of deception captivated audiences in markets like Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Its success underscores the growing appetite for high-stakes, social-strategy content.

Rising Format Star: Good Luck Guys (Banijay)
Banijay’s survival-reality show “Good Luck Guys” soared in popularity with six new adaptations in 2023, including premieres in Germany and the Nordic region via Amazon Prime Video. This format brings influencers into a rugged survival environment, blending humor, strategy, and emotional resonance—a combination that resonates deeply with younger demographics.

Format to Watch: The Floor (Talpa Studios)
Debuting in the Netherlands, “The Floor” introduced a competitive quiz duel set on a giant LED stage. Its rapid international rollout to markets like Spain, France, and the USA positions it as one of 2024’s fastest-growing formats. With its visually compelling setup and universal appeal, “The Floor” exemplifies how simple concepts can achieve global success.

Revival of the Year: Family Feud (Fremantle)
Classic formats experienced a strong revival in 2023, with “Family Feud” leading the charge. This evergreen game show expanded into nine new territories, demonstrating the enduring appeal of family-friendly, easily localized content. Other revived hits included "Deal or No Deal" and "Let’s Make a Deal," proving the staying power of timeless entertainment.

Streamer Format Star: LOL: Last One Laughing (Yoshimoto)
Amazon Prime Video’s "LOL: Last One Laughing" continued its global domination, launching in eight new territories in 2023. Its flexibility and humor—adaptable to local cultures—helped it secure its place as a leading streamer-driven success story. This trend highlights the growing role of platforms like Amazon and Netflix in driving unscripted innovation.

Franchise of the Year: The Voice (ITV Studios)
“The Voice” maintained its dominance as the most active unscripted franchise globally, with over 70 versions across various iterations, including “The Voice Kids” and “The Voice Generations.” Spin-offs and innovative additions like metaverse experiences ensured the brand remained fresh and relevant in a fragmented entertainment landscape.

Top Trends and Genres
Entertainment formats, especially quiz and talent shows, dominated, accounting for over 50% of new launches. Revivals like “Family Feud” and newer hits like “The 1% Club” drove the genre’s growth.

Adventure-reality shows emerged as a genre to watch, with titles like “Destination X” (Be-Entertainment) and “Stranded on Honeymoon Island” (Red Arrow Studios) attracting significant attention. These formats blend escapism with challenge, meeting audience desires for novel experiences.

Amazon Prime Video and Netflix spearheaded unscripted acquisitions, with formats like "The Trust: A Game of Greed" (Netflix) and "007: Road to a Million" (Amazon) showcasing their appetite for bold, localized content. This shift signals a maturing market for non-linear unscripted programming.

Top Exporters
The UK, USA, and the Netherlands continued to lead format exports, driven by powerhouse titles like "MasterChef" and "Got Talent." Meanwhile, Japan’s growth as a format exporter was notable, with “Dragons’ Den” and "LOL: Last One Laughing" leading the charge.

Top Importers
Germany, Spain, and Belgium remained the top importers of formats, with Spain’s demand for Dutch-originated hits like “The Traitors” and “The Floor” fueling its rise.

With a 13% growth in new launches and an 11% rise in global format adaptations in 2023, the unscripted landscape remains resilient despite economic pressures. As we head into 2025, the mix of proven classics and innovative newcomers promises another dynamic year for unscripted content.