A+E Networks® Global Content Sales announced several deals secured with Industry leading media companies from regions across the UK, Australia, and EMEA for new or returning seasons of A+E formats. “A+E Networks is proud to come to MIPCOM with a catalogue boasting compelling, universally resonant formats that tap into the zeitgeist of the moment, and have already found repeat success with audiences all around the world,” said A+E Networks’ SVP Head of Sales, Americas and Formats Ellen Lovejoy. “These latest commissions from such exceptional, innovative producers and broadcasters prove that A+E’s slate of formats sets us apart from what’s currently out there, and we’re very much looking forward to introducing them to our treasured partners.”
This year's slate of sales includes "The Rap Game." Following years of critical and ratings success, as well as awards recognition in the US and UK, A+E Networks has partnered with RaiPlay and the innovative production company Yam112003 to bring the first non-English language version of The Rap Game to Italy early in 2023. The launch comes years after repeat high performance for "The Rap Game," which is produced by hitmakers Naked Television for BBC. The talent competition format features aspiring MCs given the opportunity to perform epic MC showdowns in front of industry-leading rap stars who serve as their mentors, and has attracted a young, diverse audience on both sides of the pond. The Rap Game UK has been recognized with multiple prestigious award nominations, including a BAFTA, a Rose D’or, a Grierson Award, a C21 International Format Award, and an RTS award, among others.
The catalog also includes "Alone," the self-shot ultimate survival competition series that has been a critical and ratings hit for nine seasons on the History Channel in the US. The title was recently picked up by Channel 4 for a brand-new iteration of the format to be produced by one of the UK’s leading production companies, The Garden. The six-part series will find ten contestants dropped into the remote Canadian wilderness equipped with only a handful of basic tools, where each must survive the harsh elements entirely alone. "Alone Denmark," locally titled "Alene I Vildmarken," will return for a seventh season. It was also commissioned by top Australian broadcaster SBS for a version produced by ITV Australia earlier this year.
Additional recent successes for A+E Networks formats include a fifth season commission for "Forged in Fire," where world-class bladesmiths re-create historical edged weapons in a cutthroat competition, in Latin America, as well as two seasons of primetime ratings success for Top Dog on RTL in Germany. "Top Dog," locally titled "Der Beste Hund Deutschlandsim," is a heartwarming competition format that features extraordinary dogs and their owners competing nose-to-nose on a supersized canine obstacle course. The second season of Top Dog regularly ranked as the number one show in its time slot across all German TV in multiple demos, including ages 14-49. The first series performed so well that RTL produced a Celebrity Special that drew in 1.98 million viewers.