Sony Pictures Television launches online format festival

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has unveiled plans to host its own bespoke virtual formats event next month, following MIPCOM pivoting online this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Launching on 1 October, the Virtual October Formats Fest will take place across the entire month and use Zoom and eCinema as platforms through which to deliver personalised pitches and presentations of new formats.

Sony plans to reveal how it has adapted shows such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Dragon’s Den to be Covid-safe and how it created new socially-distanced formats like Celebrity Snoop Dogs.

Formats from France’s Satisfaction Group will also be pitched to buyers or the first time, following the joint venture struck with them by SPT in July. Among them is District Z, a zombie-themed adventure gameshow, developed as a co-pro between Satisfaction and TF1.

Sarah Edwards, SVP of international creative development at Sony Pictures Television, commented: “Following the success we experienced with our LA Screenings Portal earlier in the year, we have an acute understanding of the potential and the benefits available through virtual platforms.

“It’s hard to say anything is ‘business as usual’ in this unprecedented year, but SPT’s global formats business has met the challenges and explored the opportunities presented by the impact of COVID-19.

“From District Z to Celebrity Snoop Dogs, and Call That Hard Work to Time Is Money, this is a slate with broad appeal that will really connect with global audiences, and we can’t wait to present it to clients and partners around the world through the month of October.”

This story was first reported by Variety.