TF1 to adapt NBCU format for France

French commercial broadcast leader TF1 has commissioned a local version of The People’s Quiz, news that comes after format owner NBCUniversal rebranded its international production and sales arm.

TF1 bought the format from NBCU International Formats, which is part of new NBCU division NBCU International Studios.

Comcast Communications-owned NBCU decided to rebrand its international operations as NBCUIS after the LA Screenings to “better reflect the nature of the business”, a spokeswoman told TBI today.

The People’s Quiz was created by Fever Media, whose co-founder David Mortimer is now senior VP, factual and factual entertainment.

French indie Coyote will produce the French show, which is set to go out in primetime later this year as two 120-minute specials. TF1 has aired the format before, but is rebooting it with a newly-tinkered format.

In the UK, where it debuted, The People’s Quiz ran for 12 episodes on BBC One in 2007 and was later adapted in Spain, Belgium, Turkey and the Middle East, and the previous French versions aired in 2009 and 2011.

The show is a nationwide search for a general knowledge master, which culminates in a grand final and a cash prize. TF1’s winner will bag €100,000 (US$111,320).

“We’ve been working closely with the team at Coyote to redesign this show as a schedule-busting event,” said Yvonne Pilkington, SVP, formats and production at NBCUI.

“As this show previously aired in France, it will be interesting to see which other territories choose to revive it. We are in discussions with American and Australian broadcaster s about producing versions for them.”