MIPCOM 2012: BBC Commissions German Format 'Nation's Brightest' for Flagship Channel BBC One

8:12 AM PDT 10/2/2012 by Stuart Kemp

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Zodiak Rights brokered the deal for the format created by I&U TV Production for "The Brightest Briton" to air in early 2013 in the U.K.

LONDON – BBC One, the U.K. broadcaster's flagship channel, has inked a deal for six episodes of the format Nation's Brightest created by German production company I&U TV Production.

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Zodiak Rights, the international division of Zodiak Media Group, brokered the deal on the eve of this year's international TV market Mipcom.

Zodiak Rights acquired the Nation’s Brightest format at sister international television market MIPTV earlier this year following its debut on ARD in Germany where it doubled ARD’s slot average among the target 14-49 year-old group.

BBC One has commissioned a U.K. version of the format with a working title The Brightest Briton, to be produced by Zodiak Media production company RDF Television for an early 2013 broadcast.

The format sees the Nation’s Brightest jury visit towns and cities across the country using a range of intelligence tests to assess brain box contestants.

The best are then selected to go through to the studio finals where they battle it out for the title and a cash prize.

Zodiak Rights vp of entertainment Paul Martin said: “At a time when many broadcasters are looking beyond formulaic talent shows we feel Nations Brightest is a fantastic format that appeals across all age groups and to all walks of life. It is, at its heart, a show that anyone can participate in and anyone can enjoy as a viewer. We are sure that the BBC version will enjoy the same success as the original German show and we look forward to further international versions."

The format acquisition deal from I&U TV Production followed Zodiak Rights’ acquisition of I&U’s format You’ve Got to be Kidding Me in 2011, which launched successfully in Germany and resulted in two subsequent re commissions.

Zodiak Rights will showcase the Nation’s Brightest format this week at Mipcom to the international market.

Zodiak Rights owns worldwide rights, excluding Germany, to Nation’s Brightest.