ANIMO TV AND VIRGIN MEDIA ACQUIRE ALL3MEDIA’S “EATING WITH YOUR ENEMY”

All3Media International has partnered with Animo TV and Virgin Media Television to represent its new popular format “Eating with your Enemy." “'Eating with your Enemy' has proved a huge hit for Virgin Media One and has certainly sparked debate across Ireland – so we’re pleased to partner with All3Media International to get more countries talking, Debbie Thornton, Executive Producer at Animo TV, said. “With valuable insight from our experts, it’s a unique opportunity to witness these real-life conversations – at a time when so many views are only aired online and to also explore the dynamics behind them.” 

All3media will handle the global sales aspects of the format, which recently launched on Virgin Media One and was the channel’s most successful original format launch ever. The deal with All3Media International also includes distribution rights to the original completed 6-part series by Animo TV. “We’re very confident that Animo TV’s timely new format will resonate as well in the international market as it has done with viewers in Ireland,” Nick Smith, EVP Formats at All3Media International, said. “‘Eating with your Enemy’ offers a simple premise that’s easy to adapt, yet the result is powerful television that sparks important conversations – not just between the participants but also among viewers at home. At a time when our world can seem so polarised, these open, honest, face-to-face debates on a variety of subjects offer vital insight into different experiences and perspectives.” 

“Eating with your Enemy” surpassed the primetime average by 15% for its premiere episode on Virgin Media One. The first episode saw an 18% share of Adults 15-34, resulting in a 37% uplift on the channel average. Bill Malone, Director of Content, Virgin Media Television, highlighted the particular appeal of the program with younger viewers, with an 18% share of 15–34-year-old viewers on launch night. “This noisy new format not only proved a rating success on Virgin Media One but was consistently one of the top TV trends on social media each week and was one of the stand-out new series on our Virgin Media free Player." 

The show pairs together two individuals with differing points of view. The couples sits a restaurant together while being watched by a team of psychologists, who analyze their interactions to see whether these perceived enemies can find common ground in reality. The show provides a platform for a selection of views and opinions in a non-judgmental but entertaining form.