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Top 10 Best TV Formats – Global Hits

1. Survivor – Over 50 international versions. A blueprint for strategy-based reality.

2. Big Brother – Localized across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Combines voyeurism with gameplay.

3. Idol (Pop Idol, American Idol) – Originated in the UK. Over 100 global adaptations.

4. Got Talent – Licensed in 70+ countries. Emphasizes emotional storytelling and mass participation.

5. The Voice – Its spinning-chair gimmick makes it instantly recognizable. Adapted in 65+ countries.

6. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? – Premiered in the UK; sold to 160+ countries. Combines drama with simplicity.

7. Deal or No Deal – High-stakes psychology meets luck. Broad international appeal.

8. MasterChef – From the UK, rebooted globally with massive success in Australia and Asia.

9. Jeopardy! – Primarily strong in North America and Japan; renewed interest in streaming formats.

10. Love Is Blind – A Netflix original now being licensed into local versions in Japan, Brazil, and more.

According to Vitrina, unscripted franchises deliver low production risk, easy localization, and massive repeatability.

Why These Formats Succeed

1. Universal Emotional Hooks

Formats like Got Talent deliver emotional payoffs (hope, redemption) that resonate globally. According to NECSUS Journal, this universalism explains why talent shows outperform scripted content in new markets.

2. Scalability

A quiz or game show format costs significantly less than a scripted drama and is easily tailored for cultural norms. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a textbook example of this (Hansel Henson).

3. Advertiser Alignment

Formats that involve families or group watching (e.g., MasterChef, The Voice) make for advertiser-safe, prime-time content.

4. Proven Track Record

As broadcasters and streamers tighten budgets, relying on proven formats minimizes ratings risk and pleases stakeholders.

Emerging & Hybrid Formats

1. Psychological Formats

Shows like The Mole or The Traitors play on deceit and viewer strategy. These are rising due to increased demand for reality formats with “brains and betrayal.”

2. Dating Show Hybrids

Love Is Blind and Too Hot To Handle merge psychological tension with love games—working across cultures.

3. Vertical Minidramas (Duanju)

According to WIRED, short mobile-first dramas now generate $700M+ quarterly revenue in China. With 370M+ global app downloads, these formats are going mainstream.

Global Trends & Market Leaders

• Unscripted dominates format sales – 77% globally, per World Screen.

• UK is the unscripted leader, producing over 1/3 of all format exports (NumberAnalytics).

• South Korea and Turkey are now rising stars in scripted exports.

• Banijay/Endemol Shine Australia created MAFS, now remade in over 20 countries.

Format Acquisition & Licensing Best Practices

What Broadcasters Look For:

• Originality & Repeatability – Can the show sustain 5+ seasons?

• Ratings Track Record – Was it a hit in the original territory?

• Low Adaptation Cost – How easily can it localize?

Protecting Format IP:

Use format bibles, trailers, and pilot protection strategies. According to Televisual, lack of a proper paper trail can cost millions in court.

Conclusion

The best TV formats transcend language. They bank on emotional resonance, scalability, and a clear IP strategy. Whether it’s Idol or Love Is Blind, these formats dominate because they’ve cracked a code of storytelling that anyone, anywhere, can connect with.