Talpa Studios is entering Mipcom 2025 with major international expansion across its unscripted formats, driven by high-profile commissions and growing market demand for scalable, studio-based and reality programming. The Dutch powerhouse has confirmed the global rollout of three of its most dynamic properties—“The Floor,” “Caught in the Middle” and “Most Wanted”—across regions including Australia, Japan, the MENA region, and Hungary, reinforcing its position as a format exporter at the forefront of quiz and adventure entertainment.
New quiz format “Caught in the Middle,” created by John de Mol and produced in partnership with Eureka Productions (a Fremantle company), has secured early international success with commissions from Australia’s Seven Network and Dutch broadcaster SBS6. Both versions will be filmed at Talpa Studios’ Netherlands-based international production hub. The format puts a duo at the center of a giant LED arena surrounded by 100 opponents, all vying for a €50,000 jackpot. The duo must strategically answer questions to knock out opponents before being overtaken. Seven’s Managing Director of Television Angus Ross called the format “fresh, unpredictable and brimming with suspense,” while Eureka CEO Rikkie Proost praised its “strategy, humour and heart.”
This early uptake mirrors the trajectory of Talpa’s flagship quiz format “The Floor,” which has now been commissioned in 30 markets. The latest deals bring the format to MBC in the MENA region—covering 23 territories and a combined audience of over 150 million weekly viewers—and to Japan through Nippon TV, marking the format’s first entry into Asia. The show has gained traction globally with recent launches in the US, France, and Australia, capitalizing on a versatile hub production model. “In all my years in this industry, it’s the first time one of my formats will air in Japan,” said Talpa Studios founder John de Mol. “That makes this an extra special moment.”
The universal gameplay of “The Floor”—which pits 100 contestants in duels to conquer squares on a giant LED floor—has proven adaptable across cultural contexts and platforms. Talpa Studios’ global distribution head Sebastian van Barneveld attributed the format’s rapid growth to its flexible production model: “By producing multiple local versions on a single set, we maximize efficiency and enable partners worldwide to scale with us.”
Adding to the momentum, Talpa’s immersive reality competition format “Most Wanted” has been acquired by RTL Hungary. Following a strong debut on Germany’s Joyn and confirmation of a third season on the Netherlands’ Videoland, Hungary becomes the second international market to adapt the format. “Most Wanted” blends suspense and real-time strategy, challenging celebrities to escape a high-security prison and evade capture for five days without modern conveniences. RTL Hungary previously launched “The Floor” to strong ratings, and “Most Wanted” is expected to deliver similar impact. “This proven streamer format also lends itself perfectly to linear TV as a high-impact marketing event,” said van Barneveld.
With formats now operating in over 30 countries and a cross-platform production model that accelerates speed to market, Talpa Studios continues to expand its international footprint at scale. By doubling down on quiz entertainment and adventure-based reality, the company is not only capitalizing on current viewing trends but also reshaping the global format ecosystem with repeatable, adaptable IP.
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