Fremantle announced a new partnership with Emmy award winning and Millennial and Gen-Z focused production company NewBe, and well known and long-established European Toy company Jumbo Group, to adapt Jumbo’s #1 best-selling music party game Hitster into a game show. Fremantle Netherlands and NewBe will lead the creative development of the new format together with Jumbo Group, whilst Fremantle holds international production and distribution rights.
Already a global hit across multiple territories, Hitster is the ultimate music party game that has taken the world by storm, especially amongst the millennial and Gen-Z audiences. A universal game for all ages, the rules are simple – simply guess if a song was released before or after other songs in your music timeline. The player with the most cards on the correct timeline is crowned the winner. Hailed as a fun-filled journey down memory lane, Hitster allows players to relieve sounds that have defined generations, ensuring a diverse and exciting array of music at every gathering.
Vasha Wallace, EVP, Global Acquisitions & Development at Fremantle commented on the partnership: “We’re really thrilled to partner with NewBe and Jumbo Group to bring to life this exciting concept – our exceptionally talented team in The Netherlands are known for developing some of the most entertaining formats that have travelled around the world. Having already achieved huge international success as a game, Hitster´s universal themes and mix of interactive music play create an instant party at home that we’re confident will transfer and be enjoyed on TV screens. We look forward to developing and bringing this highly entertaining format to global audiences," stated.
Meanwhile, Jeroen Koopman, Founder & CEO at NewBe praised the partners: "For the first time, a party game has become the center of watercooler conversations, something previously only TV shows could achieve. After playing the game, hearing the inspiring story of its founder, Marcus Carleson and meeting with the team at Jumbo Group, we were confident it had the makings of a TV hit. Partnering with Fremantle, the leader in this genre, felt like the natural next step. We’re proud to officially announce the collaboration in launching this exciting new title," commented.
Finally, Isa Lana, Chief Marketing Officer at Jumbo Group celbrated the game: “We’re excited by the success of Hitster, which has launched in over 30 countries and achieved the #1 best-selling game status in Germany and the Netherlands this year. This accomplishment is a testament to how much our consumers enjoy and engage with the game. What truly matters most is how we’re bringing them moments of fun and shared experiences. Launching Hitster on TV in partnership with NewBe and Fremantle is the perfect next step in creating even more social interactions and instant parties at home. We couldn’t be more excited to continue being a part of our consumers’ lives in such a meaningful way," noted.