Comments on: So you think you can produce original programming?

By: Disparishun

Disparishun — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:48:04 +0000

Format licensing is old news in television. European television, in particular, has been doing it for years, following the lead of Dutch giant Endemol. As other commenters have been pointed, many -- most? not sure -- formats that become widely licensed in a series of national markets, are not American. Here's a good book on it.

By: Fagstein » TWIM: Racial profiling, dream listener and dancing!

Fagstein » TWIM: Racial profiling, dream listener and dancing! — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 05:33:16 +0000

[...] create Canadian versions and sell them to the CRTC as Canadian content. It was based, of course, on this blog post where I wonder what this is doing to Canadian television. That, in turn, was based on news that CTV has secured the rights to make So You Think You Can [...]

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:17:47 +0000

This is true. Though Simon Cowell has been assimilated into American culture. In fact, I think Britain is considering exile.

By: Mr. x

Mr. x — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 03:51:59 +0000

And "American Idol" was adapted from Britain's "Pop Idol," was it not, Steve? If anything, Canada's reclaimed it for the Commonwealth.

By: Paris

Paris — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:06:58 +0000

I'm a Canadian, living in Greece, and working for the local media market. I can assure you that producing local versions of reality shows is a global phenomenon, and the starting point is not always the US. "Big Brother", the first reality show originated from the Netherlands. "So You Think You Can Dance" was first produced in the UK (not sure about that). It's a very good profit for the netwoks: Guaranteed ratings, cheap production (comparing to the Return of Investment), and even more $$$ if there is a sequence (No.2, No.3, etc.) or variations to the original format (eg: Special Edition, Weekend Edition, Christmas Edition, and so on). I, too, agree with Jim. At least, the contestants, the presenter, and the production team of a reality show are locals, reflecting the local culture. What concerns me more is the new trend of adapting and producing local versions of sitcoms, and drama series. Isn't that an eualization of all cultural origins?

By: Zoey Castelino

Zoey Castelino — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:15:29 +0000

I agree with Jim. I can't stand reality shows. But I think the need to produce Canadian versions of the American shows has to do with this country's somewhat obsession with American culture - or at least the pop culture. By producing Canadian versions, the networks keep their Canadian content, but still give the "slack-jawed viewers" what they want.

By: princess iveylocks

princess iveylocks — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:43:30 +0000

No one is going to watch SYTYCD without Cat Deeley as the hostess. "Deal or No Deal Canada" uses suitcase-opening chicks from Pictou County, for heaven's sake. No comparison.

By: Jim Royal

Jim Royal — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:33:27 +0000

It is simply a matter of playing it safe. if an idea worked in another market, then it has a greater chance of working in our market as compared to a completely untested idea. Note that all these shows are "reality" shows, which is a genre that was invented simply because "reality" shows are cheap programming to begin with. This is no problem for me, as I have never watched a single minute of any "reality" show, and don't intend to. The point of the "reality" show is to fill living room chairs with as many slack-jawed viewers as possible, as cheaply as possible. I hardly care where the ideas for the shows come from. News, drama, and comedy -- THAT I care where it comes from.