On Mipcom’s opening day, ITV Studios revealed the global rollout of its thrillers Coldwater and The Guest.
On the first day of Mipcom, ITV Studios hosted a breakfast event packed with announcements that strengthen its position as a global leader in both scripted and unscripted entertainment.
The company first unveiled the international expansion of its premium thrillers Coldwater and The Guest, each now sold to more than 40 countries. Both dramas will air in the US on Showtime, with additional deals including Hollywood Suite (Canada), BritBox Australia, TVNZ (New Zealand), DR (Denmark), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland) and Cosmote TV (Greece), as well as panregional agreements with Rewind Networks and OSN Group.
Coldwater, starring Andrew Lincoln and Ewan Bremner, marks Lincoln’s long-awaited return to British television in a gripping psychological thriller, while The Guest, starring Eve Myles and Gabrielle Creevy, mixes action, intrigue, and sharp social commentary.
“We’re thrilled to see these compelling dramas continue their global expansion and connect with audiences around the world,” said Tom Clark, EVP Global Sales & Commercial Strategy, Global Partnerships at ITV Studios.
New global deal
The second announcement was a new global deal with acclaimed Nordic creators Karsten Bartholin and Kenneth Kristensen, founders of the recently launched production company Banjo Formats. The duo, former senior executives at Viaplay Group, were behind the success of major international formats including Love Island, Survivor, MasterChef, and Paradise Hotel. Under the new partnership, Banjo Formats will work with ITV Studios to develop and strengthen the group’s international format slate.
“Their experience in both commissioning and developing content will be instrumental in expanding our search for new global IP,” said Mike Beale, Managing Director, Global Creative Network at ITV Studios.
Solitary to its global format catalogue
Finally, ITV Studios announced the addition of the bold reality game show Solitary to its global format catalogue. The show, originally a hit on FOX Reality Channel, places contestants in isolation pods where they face intense physical and psychological challenges, with only one rule: don’t quit first. The format has already travelled to Germany and Brazil.
ITV Studios also confirmed several new format deals: A Party To Die For heads to Spain under the local title Una fiesta de muerte, produced by ITV Studios Iberia for Atresmedia; Come Dine With Me celebrates its 50th territory with Come Dine With Me Africa (French Speaking); The Chase expands to New Zealand; and My Mum Your Dad returns for a second season in Brazil.
With these announcements, ITV Studios kicks off Mipcom with a powerful lineup that showcases its global strategy and creative range across scripted and entertainment programming.
