RCS - STV Group PLC - STV Studios signs US series development deal

STVAnnouncement

01/11/2023 08:00

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RNS Number : 9231R  STV Group PLC  01 November 2023

 

STV Studios and NBCUniversal sign US series development deal for The Underdog

 

STV Studios and NBCUniversal have signed a series development deal for
innovative reality format, The Underdog, in the US.

 

The format, created by STV Studios label Primal Media and co-owned by GroupM
Motion Entertainment, sees a cast of conventionally popular contestants - all
with big online followings and a knack for influencing people - compete in a
popularity contest. However, in amongst the group is an underdog that no one
is expecting. He's an ordinary guy, has almost zero followers online, and is
unfazed about trying to be the most popular.

 

None of the cast, including the underdog, know that a group made up of TV's
most iconic reality stars are living next door and controlling the game by
setting tasks, introducing jaw-dropping format twists, mastering the art of
manipulation, and using all that they've learnt about reality shows to make
sure the underdog wins - at any cost…

 

The US rights were secured by Toby Gorman, President, Universal Television
Alternative Studio (UTAS) and Ed Havard, SVP, Unscripted Programming,
Universal International Studios (UIS) for development at NBC led by Corie
Henson. Both UTAS and UIS are divisions of Universal Studio Group.

 

The deal was brokered on the STV Studios side by Creative Director of
International Development, Josephine Brassey, and Commercial Director, Camilla
Cope, who recently joined the team as part of STV Studios' acquisition of
Greenbird Media.

 

Josephine Brassey, STV Studios' Creative Director of International
Development, said: "Primal Media have created another truly genius format
which puts a unique new spin on the reality genre, so we're delighted to be
working with Toby, Ed and the talented team at NBCUniversal on developing it
for the US market.

 

"This deal is the first secured by our newly combined business and Camilla and
I are excited about the potential of our international growth strategy."

 

Mat Steiner and Adam Wood, Managing Directors of Primal Media, said: "Pulling
the curtain back on the reality genre has been such fun, but the most
revealing thing about this format is the emotional rollercoaster ride that the
cast goes on. We're sure it'll be the same for the viewers!"

 

Toby Gorman, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio added: "This
development partnership cements our ambitions at Universal Studio Group to
partner with some of the best content creators on shows with global scale and
appeal. This is such a unique reality format that really lends itself to
adaptation for the US market, so we're super excited to bring it to life for
NBC."

 

A UK version of the format is currently in the works for E4 produced by Primal
Media and GroupM Motion Entertainment. The working title is Alan Must Win.

 

Outside of the US, All3Media International has been appointed the show's
global partner.

 

STV Studios was recently named Production Group of the Year at the 2023
Edinburgh TV Awards.

 

ENDS

 

Media Contact

Stephen Innes, STV Studios - stephen.innes@stv.tv
(mailto:stephen.innes@stv.tv)

Shereene Witter, UTAS & UIS - shereene.witter@nbcuni.com
(mailto:shereene.witter@nbcuni.com)

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