EXCLUSIVE: TF1 is France’s largest industrial broadcaster with an unscripted output that features the native variations of Survivor, The Masked Singer and Dancing With The Stars. Domestically, it has codecs together with Star Academy, Master of the Game and The Parisian Company, which is on Netflix globally.
The following flip of the wheel in unscripted is all about ‘gamification’, Julien Degroote, EVP and Head of Content material Growth on the broadcaster tells Deadline in an unique interview. That applies throughout any quiz, shiny flooring and actuality exhibits, and defines what TF1 needs in its unscripted fare, he goes on to clarify.
“What feeds our ideas is a giant pattern of what we name ‘gamification,’” Degroote says. “For us, that’s the pattern that’s driving all the trade and fueling all our considering.”
In an period of limitless viewing decisions and competitors from deep-pocketed streamers, it’s tougher than ever to have large, shiny mainstream hits. Whether or not it’s TF1, or ITV within the UK, ProSieben in Germany, or Telecinco in Spain, the large industrial networks nonetheless command mass audiences, however must work tougher than ever for these eyeballs.
Add within the spiraling prices of scripted TV – with budgets even Europe’s largest broadcasters are struggling to cowl – and getting unscripted hits on air turns into extra essential than ever. That has knowledgeable TF1’s strategic strategy.
“I might say gamification is the pattern for 3 causes,” says Degroote. “The primary one is about enjoyable. With all of the fears and darkish information around the globe, we’ve got to supply issues which might be gentle, entertaining, colourful and feel-good.”
The TF1 exec factors to Fremantle-produced Grasp of the Sport – TF1’s reply to The Traitors, which is on rival channel M6 – and quiz present 1 To 10 as examples of exhibits that lean into escapism. 1 To 10 was a paper format that TF1 tried out with a two-episode order final 12 months. It has now greenlit extra episodes.
“The second purpose for gamification one is co-viewing – having a sport and enjoying with your loved ones or with buddies,” Degroote says. “It may very well be a quiz, or an investigation sport like Grasp of the Sport, the place you’re going to attempt to discover out who’s the confederate. The concept is to familiarize individuals with co-viewing. With these type of exhibits we deliver individuals collectively in entrance of the TV.”
Degroote’s third purpose for leaning into gamification is getting viewers invested sufficient to play alongside. “Let’s say for The Masked Singer, you are attempting to search out out the celebrities behind the masks,” he explains. “In case you are concerned emotionally and lively, you create a bond with the present and also you wish to come again subsequent week.”
New Reveals & Retrofits
When it comes to new exhibits that play into the gamification pattern, TF1 has simply greenlit Sea Battle, which transports the ship-sinking board sport to an enormous set, as revealed by Deadline final week. It hails from Arthur Essebag’s Satisfaction Group.
Degroote lifts the lid on one other paper format from Satisfaction, which TF1 will check out on air. It has the working title Focus.
Satisfaction boss Essebag is a widely known host and can entrance the quiz present. “It is going to check all totally different skills of the mind; logic, reminiscence and so forth,” Degroote explains. “You’re going have eliminations, and on the finish you might have just one left for the ultimate spherical. In the event that they show they’ve essentially the most full mind, they get the jackpot.” Filming takes place this month.
Seefood
TF1 additionally snagged The Field, out of formats hotspot Norway. Produced and distributed by indie producer Seefood, it’s most likely the buzziest new format within the worldwide market proper now. ITV and RTL within the Netherlands are among the many different big-name patrons. The present has contestants locked in yellow bins that open in a shock location whereupon gamers instantly face an sudden problem. “That’s the proper instance of gamification,” Degroote says.
Gamification can be retrofitted to current franchises, the TF1 unscripted exec provides. That occurred with Endemol France-produced singing competitors Star Academy, which has been rebooted in current instances. “We added some gamification components. For instance, we determined to offer the three contestants up for elimination a problem the place they’re on stage on the similar time, singing components of the identical music.”
New Actuality
TF1’s definition of gamification – exhibits which might be enjoyable and escapist, drive co-viewing and encourage enjoying alongside – speaks to the broader targets of any mainstream broadcaster, which is profitable large, broad audiences for his or her flagship channels.
The massive broadcasters all even have extra specialist digital channels. In TF1’s case, it has digital networks together with TMC and TFX. The latter is youth-skewed with exhibits akin to Tattoo Fixers. It might be too small for TF1, however performs effectively to a extra focused viewers.
If quiz, shiny-floor, and on-location serialized exhibits are three classes of unscripted TF1 wants for its fundamental channel, a fourth class is added on the DTT channels, which is actuality.
TMC is about to launch a spin-off from The Parisian Company: Unique Properties, a actuality sequence following the Kretz household and their luxurious actual property enterprise. The brand new present, New Locations, follows two brothers from the household as they search for lux property in fascinating worldwide locales. Netflix took worldwide on the primary season and is a co-pro companion on subsequent runs. As of now, it’s not hooked up to the brand new present, which is about to launch.
Gamification as set out by TF1 is codifying a number of the core rules that large mainstream broadcasters stand by – providing entertaining, inclusive, conversation-starting TV. For producers pitching to TF1 and others, it’s value having in thoughts the gamification components that TF1 and others are in search of as they scout for the subsequent breakout unscripted hit. In spite of everything, everybody needs to get forward of the sport.
