Fremantle bets on Irish multi-platform format National Treasures

Fremantle has picked up format rights to EZ Films’ multi-platform series National Treasures.

The business has acquired format rights in key territories around the world from distributor NordicWorld for the RTE-commissioned series.

Territories include France, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Brazil.

Created by Dave Clarke and Ciarán Deeney’s EZ Films for the Irish broadcaster, the 4 x 60-minute series explores the social history of a nation by uncovering the prized possessions of locals through a series of roadshow events.

A team of curators then selects objects for an upcoming exhibition, not based on their monetary value but rather on historical and cultural value.

National Treasures is billed as a “crowdsourced archive project” that is driven by a web platform that encourages audiences to help crowdsource everyday objects that explore the history of Ireland over the past 100 years.

The format was created by EZ Films in partnership with RTÉ and the National Museum of Ireland.

The series was first broadcast this spring in a primetime slot on Sunday nights.

The deal was brokered by Nordic World’s Ann Christin Silijan and Fremantle’s Levina Negi.

NordicWorld CEO Espen Huseby said: “National Treasures is a wonderful format that brings a nation’s history alive in a truly entertaining and informative way. It has all the ingredients that delight and engage viewers of all generations. The show was an instant winner when it aired on RTE and I believe that it will have the same success wherever it is broadcast”.

Negi, VP of global acquisitions and development at Fremantle, secured the format out of last month’s MIPCOM market.

She said: “National Treasures is a charming show that has the ability to travel brilliantly. Viewer engagement is a key element of the format and every household will have one or several objects and documents that illustrate and recount their country’s history that they will want to share.”

EZ’s Clarke added: “We are delighted to be able to bring the National Treasures format to other markets outside of Ireland and it’s very exciting for us to see other countries use the National Treasures model to let the public rediscover aspects of their history and culture. The unwavering support of RTÉ and the National Museum of Ireland during the production of the series was extremely important in allowing National Treasures reach its potential.”