GMM Thailand will produce and air the local version for weekly transmission, which is based on a Dutch original format that first aired on Nickelodeon in the Netherlands in 2018 under the title De Viral Fabriek. The show will feature a roster of local Thai talent and is slated to premiere in 2020. The series will air for weekly transmission
In The Viral Factory, aspiring, young YouTubers are matched with a famous Vlogger where coaches will guide the young YouTubers in creating their own viral video. The format has also adapted by Nickelodeon Russia under the title Быть блогером, with the winner being crowned as Nickelodeon Russia's official vlogger.
In each episode of The Viral Factory, viewers meet two young wannabe YouTubers, each with a unique creative passion. The contestants are matched with a famous Vlogger that matches their style and vibe. The coaches will guide the young people in creating their own viral video.
Throughout the episode, viewers follow their journey from brainstorming ideas; to filming; to editing the final product. At the end of each week, the videos are uploaded to the broadcaster’s Youtube Channel and real viewers get to vote by ‘liking’ the video they think is best. The famous coaches will use their own platforms to promote their protégé’s video.
The winning Vlog is announced at the beginning of the next show. The winner goes through the semi-final; where they team up again with their coach to create another video – which needs to be even bigger and better than the last.
At the end of the series, the winner is decided in a thrilling live finale episode. They will receive an exciting prize such as a camera set; an opportunity to make a viral travel vlog; or anything else to help them on their vlogging journey.
The Viral Factory is a 360 concept with combines linear and digital elements, engaging viewers as well as helping young people achieve their dreams in a fun and informative way.
The news comes as Viacom International Studios (VIS) bolsters its formats catalogue with two Hindi-language reality formats originally developed by Viacom18, marking the first time shows from Viacom’s Indian joint venture have been added to the VIS slate.
Love School, which launched in 2015 on MTV India and is now into its fourth season, is a light-hearted competitive reality format in which young couples-in-crisis have the chance to enrol at the Love School in the hopes of improving or saving their relationship. The troubled pairs must take part in assignments, exams, and counselling sessions to work on their issues and ultimately decide if they should stay together.
Adventure challenge format Roadies, meanwhile, sees contestants put into teams in order to travel around the country while taking part in physical, mental and culturally relevant challenges in the hopes of being crowned the ultimate Roadie. It is into its 16th season on MTV India, Roadies’ popularity amongst young audiences is claimed to have transformed the audition process into a large-scale must-see event.
Indiacast, Viacom18’s distribution arm, will continue to sell the finished series of both titles.
“Our recent agreements in Asia demonstrate the continued strength of our content and relevance to local audiences around the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Viral Factory being brought to life in a brand-new language and to a whole new audience,” said Laura Burrell, head of formats at VIS.
“We are committed to sourcing and representing top quality formats from around the world, and are delighted to be partnering with Viacom18 for the first time on their originally developed hit series Roadies and Love School.”
Anuj Gandhi, group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at IndiaCast, added that the deals “pose a great opportunity for Indian content creators to explore format partnerships and put India as an original content destination.”
VIS will also represent brand-new studio-based talent competition format, America’s Most Musical Family. The show launched in the US, simultaneously across Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, MTV2, Nicktoons, Paramount Network, TeenNick, TV Land and VH1, on 1 November and sees 30 families who compete in front of three celebrity judges and a host in the hope of winning a recording contract and a $250,000 cash prize. The series has since launched on YTV in Canada and on Nickelodeon in the UK & Ireland and Australia & New Zealand.
From Variety:
ATF: Nickelodeon’s ‘The Viral Factory’ Gets Thai Version as Viacom Boosts Asian Formats
GMM Grammy Thailand will adapt and produce Nickelodeon’s social influencer format “The Viral Factory,” it was announced on Tuesday, ahead of Singapore’s Asian TV Forum & Market.
The Dutch format originally aired in The Netherlands in 2018 under the title “De Viral Fabriek.” The Thai adaptation will feature local talent and will premiere in 2020.
At the ATF, Viacom International Studios (VIS) will also represent two Hindi-language formats developed by Viacom’s Indian joint venture Viacom18 for MTV India. Now in its fourth season, “Love School” is a light-hearted competitive reality format in which young couples in crisis try and improve or save their relationships. In its 16th season, “Roadies” puts teams through the adventure challenge grind while travelling across India. Viacom18’s distribution arm IndiaCast will sell finished series of both titles.
In addition, VIS is representing new studio-based talent competition format, “America’s Most Musical Family” that was launched in the U.S. Nov. 1, simultaneously across Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, MTV2, Nicktoons, Paramount Network, TeenNick, TV Land and VH1. The series features 30 families who compete in front of three celebrity judges and a host in the hope of winning a recording contract and a $250,000 cash prize.
“Our recent agreements in Asia demonstrate the continued strength of our content and relevance to local audiences around the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘The Viral Factory’ being brought to life in a brand-new language and to a whole new audience,” said, Laura Burrell, head of formats at VIS. “We are committed to sourcing and representing top quality formats from around the world, and are delighted to be partnering with Viacom18 for the first time on their originally developed hit series “Roadies” and “Love School”.”
“Indian original content is increasingly being accepted and applauded across the world – be it on television or cinema. This poses a great opportunity for Indian content creators to explore format partnerships and put India as an original content destination,” said Anuj Gandhi, Group CEO of IndiaCast.
###
Update - Below is Viacom International Studios' (VIS) official press release announcing the exciting news!:
VIACOM INTERNATIONAL STUDIOS RAMPS UP ASIAN FORMATS OFFERING
LONDON, 2nd December 2019 – Nickelodeon’s topical social influencer format, The Viral Factory, is to be adapted and produced by GMM Thailand for local audiences. The news comes as Viacom International Studios (VIS) bolsters its formats catalogue for the first time with two new Viacom18 originals, Love School and Roadies, as well as brand new entertainment show, America’s Most Musical Family.
The Viral Factory will be produced by local media company, GMM Thailand for weekly transmission. The Dutch original format which first aired on Nickelodeon in The Netherlands in 2018 under the title, De Viral Fabriek, will feature a roster of local Thai talent and is slated to premiere in 2020.
For the first time, VIS will exclusively represent two popular Hindi language reality formats originally developed by Viacom’s Indian joint venture, Viacom18. Launched in 2015 on MTV India and now in its 4th season, Love school is a light-hearted competitive reality format in which young couples-in-crisis have the chance to enrol at the Love School in the hopes of improving or saving their relationship. The troubled pairs must take part in assignments, exams, and counselling sessions to work on their issues and ultimately decide if they should stay together.
In adventure challenge format Roadies, contestants are put into teams in order to travel around the country while taking part in physical, mental and culturally relevant challenges in the hopes of being crowned the ultimate Roadie. Now in its 16th season on MTV India, Roadies’ unparalleled popularity amongst young audiences has transformed the audition process into a large-scale must-see event which attracts thousands of hopeful candidates each year. Indiacast, Viacom18’s distribution arm, will continue to sell the finished series of both titles.
“Our recent agreements in Asia demonstrate the continued strength of our content and relevance to local audiences around the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Viral Factory being brought to life in a brand-new language and to a whole new audience,” commented Laura Burrell, Head of Formats, VIS. “We are committed to sourcing and representing top quality formats from around the world, and are delighted to be partnering with Viacom18 for the first time on their originally developed hit series Roadies and Love School.”
Anuj Gandhi, Group CEO, IndiaCast added: “Indian original content is increasingly being accepted and applauded across the world – be it on television or cinema. This poses a great opportunity for Indian content creators to explore format partnerships and put India as an original content destination.”
VIS will also represent brand-new studio-based talent competition format, America’s Most Musical Family. Launched in the US, simultaneously across Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, MTV2, Nicktoons, Paramount Network, TeenNick, TV Land and VH1 on 1st November this year, the series hosts 30 families who compete in front of three celebrity judges and a host in the hope of winning a recording contract and a $250,000 cash prize.
A long-time home of ground-breaking formats such as MTV’s Ex on the Beach and True Love or True Lies, Spike’s Lip Sync Battle and Comedy Central’s Drunk History, the VIS format catalogue comprises more than 100 non-scripted format hits from its vast content library. Love School, Roadies and America’s Most Musical Family join VIS’ extensive catalogue together with recent newcomers Ghosted (MTV) and Paramount Network’s Marriage Rescue which both launched at MIPCOM.
About Viacom International Studios (VIS):
Viacom International Studios is the umbrella brand for all of Viacom’s content production and distribution activities outside of the U.S. Within VIS, the Content Sales group is responsible for all international programme syndication, format and co-production activities for this diverse portfolio of entertainment brands, including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Paramount Channel and Spike, which are seen globally in more than 4.4 billion households in approximately 180 territories and 40 languages via more than 300 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. The group also oversees the strategic acquisition of original content in VIMN’s core competency areas of kids, youth and adults, for sale to third parties around the world.
For more details about the VIS programming library, please visit https://b2b.viacom.com/
###
More Nick: Nickelodeon International Orders New Live-Action Comedy 'Goldie’s Oldies'!
Originally published: Monday, December 02, 2019.
Sources: TBI Vision, TVFORMATS, Rapid TV News; Additional source: C21 Media.
