07/07/2009
UK-based global content distributor Outright Distribution has announced more recent successes throughout Scandinavia for worldwide super hit, Who Do You Think You Are?
In Norway, state broadcaster NRK is producing its own local version of the Wall To Wall original idea with a license for the format to produce an 8 part series to be produced by Norwegian indie, Monster Entertainment.
Then DR in Denmark has also gone for a local format commission for 6 episodes which are due for airing in late ‘09 or early 2010 and has cherry picked 18 finished episodes of the best known names from the UK series for Danish audiences.
On top of this, the broadcaster has acquired the closely anticipated 7 x 60 US series commissioned by NBC which has Sarah Jessica Parker, Lisa Kudrow and Susan Sarandon confirmed as lead contributors so far.
Mette Hoffmann Meyer, Head of Documentaries and Co-productions at DR explained her choice: "It is really a great format, telling us about roots and why we are who we are - a fantastic way to tell the social political history of our neighbours."
Over in Sweden SVT scheduled the first series of 6 episodes of their local version named "Vem tror du att du är?" in a primetime slot earlier this year, where it enjoyed a successful run. SVT has just re-commissioned a 2nd series of 5 episodes which will launch in September. To further sate the audience appetite for the format, they are currently airing 6 of the UK finished episodes, in the break between the Swedish version series 1 and 2.
These brand new licenses for the format bring the total number of local versions of Who Do You Think You Are? to 13. Finished versions of the programme have also been acquired across the rest of Scandinavia with MTV3 Finland taking the first 5 complete UK series and the first available half of the 6th comprising 45 hours, for their Ava channel. MTV3 has also signed up for the US series. In addition, the broadcaster has also invested in the property on a longer term basis by securing a format option for the territory.
Leonora Teale, Senior Sales Manager for Scandinavia added: ‘years of Who Do You Think You Are? being launched successfully around the world and the continuing great ratings in the UK all contribute to 4 Scandinavian countries breathing new life into the format. We fully anticipate this trend to be replicated in other territories. ’
Who Do You Think You Are? was originally produced for BBC1 in the UK and uses the popular past-time of genealogy to unlock the major themes in history for example, the Industrial Revolution, Immigration, the First and Second World Wars, the abolition of slavery and the holocaust. At the same time as weaving a fascinating and absorbing narrative, we travel the world as these stories unfold. Celebrities in the UK show include: Stephen Fry, Nigella Lawson, John Hurt, Kim Cattrall, Jeremy Clarkson, David Tennant, Zoe Wanamaker and Jeremy Irons.