THE 'PASAPALABRA CASE'

Multi-Access & Production Hubs: The Evolution of Global Formats

MORE ON THE ‘PASAPALABRA CASE’

The “Pasapalabra case” has taken another unexpected turn. Following last month’s parallel rulings (see here)—where, on one hand, the Madrid Provincial Court ordered Mediaset España to pay UK broadcaster and producer ITV Studios €73.2 million in damages, while on the other, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that the intellectual property rights to the show’s iconic final round, “El Rosco,” do not belong to ITV but are instead owned by the Dutch production company MC&F—a new twist has emerged.

Last Friday, Antena 3 debuted the new edition of the ITV game show featuring a brand-new finale called “A la Z” (AlaZ), which replaces “El Rosco,” a segment they can no longer use. So, where does this new game come from? To secure stronger legal protection against any potential lawsuit by Mediaset, the network opted for a format owned by RSI—the public broadcaster of Italian-speaking Switzerland—called DallAZetA (‘From A to Z’), which originally aired two years ago.

The game is clearly inspired by the final wheel of Passaparola (the Italian version) but features several key differences—most notably, the letters are arranged linearly rather than in a circle. Rather than reading a lengthy explanation, you can watch it directly via this link, as the RSI Play platform is freely accessible without a VPN.

It is worth adding that the format’s IP is 100% owned by RSI, given that it is an original, in-house creation and production. Unlike other broadcasters, even the creators are internal staff rather than freelancers, meaning the chain of title is incredibly solid—practically unassailable.

The initial ratings were remarkably strong, partly driven by inevitable viewer curiosity: the show pulled in 1.597 million viewers, securing a 21.9% share (nearly two percentage points higher than The Wheel of Fortune the previous day). Meanwhile, the final segment recorded a 26.1% audience share, peaking at 28.3% during its climax. It remains to be seen whether it will sustain these numbers moving forward, considering that Pasapalabra will also be competing with World Cup matches in the coming days.

But most importantly, we shall see what unfolds over the next few months, as the match is far from finished and further twists and turns are to be expected. Of this, I can assure you!

(In the pictures below: the Swiss version and the Spanish version of the game)

APP + SOCIAL + TV = THE NEW MEDIA ECOSYSTEM

A defining characteristic of the new media ecosystem is ‘multi-access’—an evolution of legacy cross-, multi-, and transmedia models. Today, content must be seamlessly consumable across multiple platforms, devices, and contexts simultaneously.

Contemporary audiovisual media operates in an era of hyper-abundance. Never in history has so much content been produced, distributed, and shared. Premium films, streaming series, documentaries, short-form videos, live streams, video podcasts, social clips, branded content, educational formats, gaming, and user-generated materials all compete for the exact same finite resource: the viewer’s limited attention.

In this landscape, the primary challenge is no longer production; it is discoverability, recognition, and relevance. Consequently, driving discovery and consumption through diverse entry points has become mission-critical.

A prime example of this emerging multi-content model is Double Date Island. Produced by the UK’s Cowshed Studios, this next-gen dating series pieces together disparate elements of the digital landscape like a jigsaw puzzle. The project unites the dating app Tinder, social media powerhouse TikTok, and ITV Studios’ (ITVS) brand-powered content division, Studio 55, alongside ITVS’s digital distribution unit, Zoo 55.

This multi-platform format is built around Tinder’s Double Date feature. The series will follow pairs of best friends selected from various international territories—including the US, UK, Australia, and several European countries—as they embark on a “sun-drenched getaway” in Portugal.

Co-developed by Studio 55 and distributed by Zoo 55, the series is backed by OMD, Tinder’s EMEA agency for media strategy, planning, and buying. Reflecting modern digital compliance, the content is tailored strictly for adults; when the series launches this summer, it will be gated exclusively to TikTok users aged 18 and over.

The partnership, timed alongside the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, marks a significant milestone for the platforms involved. For TikTok, it cements its evolution into “the home of landmark entertainment moments, not merely a discovery tool.” For Tinder, this first venture into serialized unscripted programming reflects a strategic push “to create more social, dynamic spaces where connection feels effortless and fun.”

The era of 'multi-access' has begun, and the potential models are endless.

3 COUNTRIES FOR A MINIGOLF

Naturally, alongside emerging digital and decentralized media models, ‘classic’ television formats built for mainstream broadcasters continue to thrive. Traditional television is far from dead—contrary to recurring industry obituaries—and is instead demonstrating a remarkable structural resilience.

A textbook (triple) example of this is Holey Moley, the blockbuster US format created by Eureka Productions and distributed globally by Fremantle, which originally made its debut on ABC in 2019. Falling squarely within the physical “Funny Game” genre (as highlighted in our recent report), the action-packed game show is frequently described as a sort of “Ninja Warrior of mini-golf.” It is a highly spectacular, comedy-forward competition where amateur players face off on a giant, obstacle-course-style miniature golf track packed with wind machines, oversized inflatables, ziplines, and massive water slides.

In France, public broadcaster TF1 has officially commissioned the format under the title Crazy Mini Golf, scheduled to air this summer (with the exact premiere date yet to be announced). To capture younger, digitally native demographics, TF1 has handed hosting duties to McFly and Carlito—one of France’s most popular and heavily followed creator duos. This marks their major debut leading a flagship, prime-time entertainment program on linear broadcast television, highlighting a strategic bridge between traditional networks and internet culture.

The format is also making its way to Germany via streaming infrastructure, set to premiere soon on Prime Video Germany as Holey Moley – Minigolf Extreme. The German series will bring together an eclectic cast of Olympic champions, world minigolf champions, reality TV stars, and self-proclaimed armchair professionals, all competing on epic courses designed to test their skill, courage, and sense of humor.

Meanwhile, the game will be on air also in the UK, where ITV has commissioned Holey Moley, with presenting duo Ant & Dec at the helm. As usual, in the series, top-tier professionals, fearless thrill-seekers, and a host of familiar faces will take on the courses.

The most compelling aspect of this multi-territory expansion is how Fremantle has centralized its production pipeline by constructing a massive European production hub in Portimão, Portugal. Filming for all three European versions takes place entirely within this single, mega-scale themed infrastructure, allowing broadcasters to dramatically optimize set-up and physical production costs. While the localized versions rely on distinct creative partners—Fremantle France handles the French edition, UFA Show & Factual co-produces the German series, and Talkback alongside Mitre Studios (the Ant & Deck’s production company) drives the UK production—they all plug into the same centralized hardware footprint.

Ultimately, this localized blitz demonstrates that classic entertainment formats are continuing to evolve—at least from a strategic and production standpoint—to successfully adapt to the modern economic realities of international entertainment media.

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NEWS IN A NUTSHELL

• The 4th season of Drag Race France is set to premiere on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in a late-night timeslot (10:45 PM) on France 2, with a simultaneous streaming release on the france.tv platform (and internationally on WOW Presents Plus).

  The local adaptation is produced by Endemol France and Shake Shake Shake, while World of Wonder (WOW)—the US production company founded by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the original creators of RuPaul’s global franchise—retains oversight as executive producer.

• Keshet International has secured a seventh licensing deal for its children’s musical talent show Master Class, partnering with ALPHA Cyprus for a new primetime local adaptation titled Music School. Originally created by Yoav Tzafir, Tamira Yardeni, and Zvika Hadar for Keshet 12, Master Class is an uplifting musical talent show where children perform beloved classics in a supportive, non-competitive environment.

• Talpa Studios (founded by John de Mol) and Signal.Stream’s reality format A.S.S. – Anti Survival Show has been recommissioned for a second season by Dutch broadcaster NET5, following a breakout debut on streamer KIJK. The format strands outspoken reality personalities on a deserted beach, forcing them to endure harsh conditions while a luxury yacht waits tantalizingly just offshore.

• The BBC will air a special celebrity version of its popular Gladiators competition format in 2027, alongside the fourth series of the standard show. The Gladiators Celebrity Special is a standalone episode that will feature four celebrities who will enter Sheffield arena to see whether they can measure up to the team of Gladiators to claim victory.

• Atresmedia and Fremantle España are forging ahead with the Spanish adaptation of Caught in the Middle. Originally created by Talpa Studios, the game show is set to air on Antena 3 and will be co-produced by Fremantle España. To maximize production efficiencies, filming will take place at Talpa’s international production hub in the Netherlands.

• UK pay TV broadcaster Sky has commissioned an immersive documentary format called The Wargame, adapted from the Sky News podcast of the same name.

  Produced by The Garden, the ITV Studios-owned prodco, the 4×60’ series features politicians and public figures including Michael Gove, former Conservative cabinet minister, and Nicola Sturgeon, the former leader of the Scottish National Party. In a crisis-room-style environment, the cast take on roles such as prime minister, defence secretary and attorney general as they navigate a fictional high-stakes scenario: a Russian attack on UK soil.

• Canal 4 in Uruguay and Sony Pictures Television have inked a deal to adapt the international format Raid The Cage and establish a regional production hub in Uruguay for upcoming international versions. Broadcast in Latin America as Escape perfecto, Raid The Cage originated in Israel in 2013 and has already spawned over 20 international adaptations in countries including the United States, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Turkey, and Chile.

• Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) has optioned the French adaptation rights to the hit Spanish format El Desafío (The Challenge). Created by 7 y Acción, the show is distributed internationally by Onza Distribution under the English title The Celeb Challenge. The deal paving the way for WBITVP’s French division to develop and explore a local version of the program for the French market. Produced by 7 y Acción, The Celeb Challenge features celebrities facing a grueling series of physical and mental challenges each week, performed in front of a live studio audience and a panel of judges. Since its launch, the format has been sold to more than 15 countries.

• Banijay Rights has unveiled two new MasterChef adaptations set to launch in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan next year. MasterChef Uzbekistan will debut on Zo’r TV with a 10-episode season from New Media Group, while pubcaster Ictimai TV will bring the 10-episode MasterChef Azerbaijan to screens in that country.

• Netflix has ordered a new iteration of Hot Ones, the chicken wing-eating format that has built a loyal following on YouTube, as well as a competition series spin-off to its hit preschool show Gabby’s Dollhouse. Hot Ones: Extra Heat will launch exclusively on Netflix on July 13, with the first episode premiering following the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, a baseball event that sees some of the biggest hitters in baseball compete to see who can hit the most home runs.

• Netflix has acquired the second season of Indian stand-up comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube comedy talent show India’s Got Latent, with new episodes simulcast on the video sharing platform. Hosted by Raina, the Hindi-language talent show launched on YouTube in 2024 and is inspired by the international Got Talent franchise and podcast hit Kill Tony.