ZODIAK’S FORT BOYARD NOTCHES UP FURTHER DEALS
By Kristin Brzoznowski
World Screen
/21311
June 11 2009
PARIS: A number of new agreements have been firmed up by Zodiak
Entertainment for the game show Fort Boyard, which is gearing up for
its 20th anniversary.
TV3 in Denmark, which aired 117 shows under the local name Fangerne
PÃ¥ Fortet, has signed a new deal for the show. Mastiff Denmark and
Adventure Line Productions will be co-producing ten new episodes,
with shooting to begin in July. Fort Boyard has aired or will air in
seven further countries in 2009, including a fifth season for Star
Channel in Greece, third cycle for BTV in Bulgaria and a sophomore
season for TVP2 in Poland, Fox in Turkey, Fox in Serbia and ENTV in
Algeria. A first season is set for Armenia TV in Armenia.
Shooting is now under way on a 20th season of Fort Boyard for France
2. The season will consist of ten prime-time episodes, airing on
Saturday evenings; 52 short episodes to be aired four days a week;
and 15 one-hour best-of shows in access prime time, as well as one
special best of episode celebrating the history of the show and it’s
success around the world.
With 1,345 episodes produced for 42 countries, including 237 for
France, 100 episodes for the U.K. and 11 seasons for Sweden, Fort
Boyard is the most-exported French format in history.
Matthieu Porte, the head of format sales at Zodiak Entertainment,
commented, "Fort Boyard broke new ground when it launched in 1990,
offering a totally fresh adventure game-show experience for viewers
and a unique production concept for international broadcasters. Twenty
years on, the fact that we continue to sign up new channels throughout
the world, is a testament to its relevance and timeless adaptability
for a global audience."
Porte continued, "In many cases we can shoot up to three episodes per
day. Shooting back-to-back throughout the European summer allows us to
offer the most affordable and cost effective adventure game show. Our
aim is to build on the success it continuously enjoys and launch Fort
Boyard in the U.S., one of the rare territories where they have not
even heard of the format!"