Ben Silverman formats eyeing Australian deals
Former NBC executive Ben Silverman is in talks with local networks on adapting two new formats for Australia.
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Former NBC executive Ben Silverman is in talks with Australian TV networks on adapting two formats.
The formats are:
Interactive telenovela Pedro and Maria, a Romeo and Juliet tale with a US-Hispanic flavour, that lets viewers decide the plot. Ugly Betty‘s America Ferrera is executive producer. With considerable product placement, Procter and Gamble Prods. is also on board as a producer and integrated marketing partner.
and
Win Sanity, game show with a lot of play-along and technology enabled.
Seven has confirmed it has had talks with Silverman at MIPTV in France.
Silverman, who sold his Reveille company to Elisabeth Murdoch when he was running NBC, now has his Electus company. His track record in developing shows was strongest prior to his appointment at NBC including The Office, Ugly Betty, The Tudors, and The Biggest Loser. He left the company in July after shows he had championed failed. Time magazine called him the “No-Hit Hitmaker”
He also brought Kath & Kim to US television, but the show did not survive the transition.
“I can’t discuss which networks but (I’ve) always been a great fan of Australia, as it’s a great outlet for our programming,” he told The Australian.
Source: The Australian, Variety
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- Tagged with Kath and Kim, Pedro and Maria, The Biggest Loser, The Office, The Tudors, Ugly Betty, Win Sanity
7 Responses
@hank – I’m pretty sure he’s on the set of The Office.
What’s with the david brent feet on the desk pose?
Looks like he’s concentrating on gimmick-based ideas. That’s destined to be a short term success, if at all.
He had conflicted interests. Harsh to say killed NBC. Did great things for Shine Revellie by pretty much ensuring a couple of shows were commissioned by NBC. Did alright by himself too selling his stake.
Have heard in depth about the two mentioned concepts, neither is a good fit for 7 and in honesty no Aussie broadcaster is going to make a original digital production unless it counts for drama credits and costs next to nothing
.
Kuttsywood, maybe they should just do a remake of Let The Blood Run Free!
That first one seems interesting. A interactive program, let alone a serial, similar to Ugly Betty, would be perfect for a digital channel, looking for a long term solution to a timeslot. It would attract viewers, and give a revenue stream (through viewers SMS’ing their next plot twist) at the same time.
Didn’t this guy kill NBC?