SWEDISH VIEWERS FALL IN LOVE WITH 'HOTEL ROMANTIEK'
HOTEL ROMANTIEK has launched successfully on SVT on 8th January. The heart-warming factual entertainment format follows 28 love-thirsty singles over the age of 65 looking for a partner. During a week which they will spend in the Swiss mountains, they will go on dates and try to find love.
The first episode captured an audience of 1.4 million viewers and the series has received a huge amount of positive press. "It's refreshing to see real and genuine people and this program clearly shows that age is just a number". Or, as one of the participants states: "The heart has no wrinkles".
Local series have been produced in The Netherlands and Spain. A new Belgian series is currently in production for a launch on VRT later this year.
'SMARTEST PERSON' #1 IN THE NETHERLANDS
The 21st series of the hit-program THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE WORLD currently dominates the Dutch TV-landscape being the #1 program across all time-slots and channels from Monday-Thursday. The extremely popular game show reaches more than 2,5 million viewers and over 40% marketshare on pubcaster NPO1. New series are commissioned and the 21st series will be launched in Belgium on Play4 later this year.
'DOWN THE ROAD' CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
Factual entertainment format DOWN THE ROAD is currently in its 2nd series on SBS6 in The Netherlands. The 6x45' series is gaining viewers each week and scores an average of 600.000 viewers and 10,2% market share (6+, live +7). The series is especially popular in the 20-54 key demo (11,5%, live +7) and performs well in late-viewing.
Meanwhile, the German version which aired successfully on SWR last year, has been nominated for the prestigious 'Grimme Award' in the category Best Entertainment. The local series (6x40' produced by SEO Entertainment) follows 'tour guide' entertainer Ross Anthony and his travel companions experiencing all sorts of big and small adventures. The winners will be announced on March 21st at a press conference in the Filmhaus in Cologne.
The format (originally created by Belgian producer Roses are Blue) sees six young adults with down syndrome who embark on a journey of a lifetime. During their trip they face extraordinary challenges, find independence, love, and experience life without limits. The 5th Belgian series scored top ratings with more than 1 million viewers on pubcaster VRT last year. A new series is in production to tx later this year.
GLORIOUS RATINGS FOR 'ETERNAL GLORY' NORWAY
The 14th series of Belgian format ETERNAL GLORY is a returning success for pubcaster NRK and continues to deliver massive ratings. The program, local title 'Mesterne Mester', kicked off on 1st of January and captured a total of 1.2 million viewers. The series also broke a new record for NRK with online viewers watching the shows after its linear premier. Further series have already been commissioned.
The format, originally created by De Filistijnen, has been an international success with local series produced in The Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. The Swedish version has been extremely successful for pubcaster SVT with their 15th series coming up this Spring.
'ONE YEAR OFF' SCORES BIG IN BELGIUM
In times like these, who wouldn’t want to win the chance to do absolutely nothing for an entire year? That is exactly what’s at stake in the game show ONE YEAR OFFwhere 16 contestants battle it out over 13 weeks to win the annual salary of the biggest earner in the group.
The popular game show (produced by Roses are Blue) has been a household brand for pubcaster VRT since 2001 and is currently in its 11th series, kicking off with close to 1 million viewers (live +7, 4+).
SECOND SERIES '16 WEEKS OF HELL' KICKS OFF IN NORWAY
The second series of reality format 16 WEEKS OF HELL has kicked off on Discovery in Norway. The local series is produced by Nexiko, who also produced local series for Discovery in Sweden and Norway. The 10x44' series follows 6 celebs who are in search of new habits and increased fitness, they challenge themselves to complete the infamous '16 weeks of Hell' training camp.
With the start of the New Year, there is no better timing for a show like this which reflected in the ratings: the first episode was the most-watched show of that week on Discovery.
'THE MOLE' STRIKES AGAIN IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Dutch audience is once again on the mole hunt that captivates the country. The 24th series of the popular reality competition format THE MOLE takes place in South Africa and the viewers can't get enough. Scoring massive ratings of 2.5 million viewers and over 40% market share (6+) in the Saturday 8.30pm slot on pubcaster NPO1, the program adds another 1 million viewers in late-viewing and achieves total scores of 3.5 million viewers and close to 50% market shares! With spin-offs such as 'Mole Talk', 'Not the Mole', 'Mollenstreken', a podcast and app, the program will keep the Dutch viewers engaged in their search for The Mole.