Format

The docu-reality series La Yourte broadcast last December 2022 on Tipik, achieved a good result on the young adult channel of the RTBF group, the 4 episodes featuring the cast of the “Grand Cactus” Belgian comedy TV show, attracted a large number of viewers, notching up excellent audience figures (average audience share of 16.4%, well above the average of the slot). The programme was a particular hit among 15-34 year-olds, with the audience share reaching 26.6% in that category.

The format has been sold to TF1 for a local adaptation:  “We fell for La Yourte from the very first scenes  - said Julien DEGROOTE, Director of Development and Creation, TF1 Group - the advantage of the format is that it is made for great family and popular entertainment while raising awareness on ecological issues. The TF1 teams are proud to collaborate with the Belgian Public Service on this programme and hope it will meet the same success as on RTBF.” 

The concept of the show is like an ecological experiemnt:  for five days, a group of famous candidates have to live together in a yurt, stripped of their usual creature comforts, and take up various comical challenges that must be met by adopting eco-responsible behaviour. If they win, money goes to an association working in the field of sustainable development. On the other hand, if they lose, resources are taken away from them for the rest of the stay (water, gas, electricity, etc.).

While remaining a mainstream entertainment programme, the show raises questions about our lifestyles: What can we do to better manage our waste? How to adopt eating habits that do not have too much of an impact on the planet? How to travel more sustainably?

“La Yourte” captures the zeitgeist and addresses the challenges of our era. According to Adrien DEVYVER, the show’s host, ““La Yourte” is an innovative and unifying concept that makes candidates and the public aware of the need to adopt a more sustainable approach to the environment”.

Over and above the questions is raises about our current lifestyles and the (re)discovery of eco-responsible gestures, this adventure forced our celebrities to take a good look at themselves by making them reconnect with forgotten emotions triggered by the beauty of nature, but with humour and sensitivity.

Sandrine ROUSTAN, Managing Director of Content at RTBF: “RTBF’s strategy is to develop original formats because we are convinced that French-speaking Belgian creativity can contribute innovative and refreshing concepts to international markets. “La Yourte”, which was co-created with Céline Vanden Eynde, a young Belgian producer, is an example of a successful collaboration between young talents and the public service. Using the codes of docu-reality, while shying away from voyeurism, at the service of the environment was a bold challenge. The whole point of this format is to trigger ecological awareness while having fun”.