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VOD / streaming / web / shortform /
digital originals and formats
Smartshow.tv
Digital Unscripted Content Trends
6/2020

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
About the Report
A curated selection of shows intended for digital content
professionals.
The report covers digital video entertainment content with a focus
on VOD, streaming, web content, shortform, digital originals and
formats suitable for digital platforms. Focal point on unscripted
content; reality, entertainment and factual shows with format
potential. Doesn’t include one-offs, e.g. specials.
Independent format research with no paid commercial messages,
guaranteed by Smartshow.tv founder Ivan Krasko.
Visit www.smartshow.tv for trailers and more
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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Trends
• Co-productions with linear channels. Netflix has joined forces with British broadcaster
Channel 4 on 'Crazy Delicious'
• Celebrities attached. Selena Gomez, Michelle Visage, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rebel Wilson
collaborate on new unscripted digital originals
• Dating genre expands in digital. Danish streaming services Dplay adapts British format
'Singletown'. German TV Now confirms new season of 'Temptation Island' claiming to be its most
successful original. 'Love Island' brings big viewership to Australian BVOD
• Self-isolation content. New digital projects for the self-isolation era have emerged over the last
weeks and a few more shows will follow, such as Irish lockdown dating show 'Love in Isolation'
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Pitch of the Month
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Content inspirations. Future hits & fresh formats to consider next

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
You Can’t Ask That
Smartshow.tv says / A format that breaks down stereotypes and
barriers. Ideal for digital audience. Flexible, allowing 30’ episodes
as well as 4-minute minisodes. Affordable production.
Synopsis / Participants from all walks of life, e.g. people of short
stature, Muslims, sex workers, transgender people, ex-reality TV
stars, respond to frank and often confronting questions, sourced
from the public in their own words with candour and humor.
Good to know / Winner of various awards, including Rose d’Or
Award for Best Reality and Factual Entertainment Program /
Adapted in over 15 territories.
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Factual format / up to 30’ / distributed by ABC Content Sales
Show
Supporting
Diversity

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Key New Developments
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Recently announced new projects

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Singletown
Smartshow.tv says / Discovery Networks’ Dplay orders a Danish
version of this youth-skewing format. Dating reality genre
achieves good results on digital platforms with 'Singletown' being
a solid, well-structured format that can follow the success of
'Temptation Island' and 'Ex on the Beach'.
Synopsis / Real-life couples press pause on their relationships to
spend one incredible summer experiencing the single life to see if
their real life relationship really is the one for them.
Good to know / A format distributed by Keshet International /
Dutch version will be produced by Banijay’s Nordisk Film TV.
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Danish adaptation / dating reality / Dplay

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Also In Development
HBO Max greenlights Untitled Cooking Project with Selena
Gomez, a 10-episode cooking show featuring Gomez as she
navigates unfamiliar territory: making delicious meals while stuck
at home in quarantine. warnermediagroup.com
HBO Max also confirms multi-generational family docusoap The
House of Ho about a family that immigrated from Vietnam to the
United States with little money, relying on hard work to establish
the ultimate American dream. warnermediagroup.com
Apple TV+ announces Greatness Code, a short-form docu series
that spotlights untold stories from athletes, examining a pivotal
moment that defined their career. apple.com
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3 Most Important Launches
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Smartshow.tv selects key unscripted VOD originals premiering in June 2020

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
The Thomas John Experience
Smartshow.tv says / Simple format that relies on the casting of
the psychic medium. Solid potential to travel and get foreign
adaptations, scalable in terms of production – can be produced
affordably.
Synopsis / A psychic medium journeys across the country using
their ability to connect unsuspecting everyday people with those
on the other side. Their powerful readings offer insight and
closure, resulting in reunions between the living and the dead.
Good to know / Distributed as a format by ViacomCBS.
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US original / medium show / June 4 / CBS All Access

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
LOL: Last One Laughing
Smartshow.tv says / After Japanese and Mexican versions, the
Amazon Original format gets first English-language adaptation,
which is important for further expansion of the show. Australian
Amazon team smartly greenlit a variety genre that has potential.
Synopsis / A star-studded cast of comedic actors and stand-ups
compete to make each other laugh first. The final comedian left
standing will win the grand prize.
Good to know / The first Australian Amazon Original series /
Hosted and executive produced by Rebel Wilson / Produced by
Endemol Shine Australia.
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Australian adaptation / comedy / June 19 / Amazon Prime Video

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Crazy Delicious
Smartshow.tv says / Netflix gets its new unscripted project from
Optomen, an expert in cookery content production with credits
e.g. on Gordon Ramsay shows. The show is a result of an
important partnership with British linear broadcaster Channel 4.
Synopsis / Three cooks pick from an 'enchanted garden' to create
unusual and inspiring culinary creations which will then be judged
by a panel of renowned 'food gods'.
Good to know / Co-production with British broadcaster
Channel 4, where it launched in January.
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British original / cooking competition / June 24 / Netflix

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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Also Launching
The Diva in Me (German adaptation) / transformation show / June
1 / TV Now / Drag queens help women going through a tough time
with a big makeover and lip-sync performance
Nice One! (US original) / game show / June 8 / Quibi / Comedians
attempt to cleverly out-compliment one another
Love in Isolation (Irish original) / dating / June 9 / RTÉ Player /
Singles get to know each other while stuck in lockdown at home
Lenox Hill (US original) / factual / June 10 / Netflix / An intimate
look at the lifesaving work of four doctors
Karma (US original) / competition / June 18 / HBO Max /
Contestants aged 12-15 solve puzzles and overcome physical
challenges, with the laws of karma setting the rules
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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Also Launching
Floor Is Lava (US original) / competition / June 19 / Netflix /
Teams compete to navigate rooms flooded with 'lava' by leaping
from chairs, hanging from curtains and swinging from chandeliers
Date Drop (US original) / dating / June / AwesomenessTV / Six
YouTube influencer contestants meet their potential companions
via videoconference 'gallery mode' for a series of speed dates
The Click (US original) / reality / June / AwesomenessTV /
Quarantined strangers make new and intriguing connections,
while tackling their new normal
Full list of premieres and trailers at www.smartshow.tv
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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
Recently Launched
● Sleeping with Friends (YouTube Originals) – reality
competition series about sleep
● How's Your Head, Hun? (BBC Three) – Michelle Visage
enlists her husband as a cameraman and opens the doors
of her home during coronavirus lockdown
● Create Together (YouYube) – learning series, hosted by
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, featuring the creations of everyday
people collaborating to make art while being at home
● YouTube projects based on My Dream Quinceañera series
(Awesomeness): My Dream Quinceañera at Home, a
three-part multiplatform special that involves fans in
planning the ultimate at-home quinceañera celebration with
two MDQ stars; and The Sweet Life of Honey, a spin-off
following MDQ star Honey Robinson
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In Brief
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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
In Brief
Love Island, The Apprentice and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out
of Here! are three R&E programmes that gained the most device
viewers in 2019 in the UK. BARB report
Dating reality show Love Island brings 'huge BVOD numbers' in
Australia according to TV Tonight, as around 40% of the total
audience of this TV show watches it via 9Now.
BBC iPlayer had record numbers during coronavirus lockdown. In
unscripted genre, Race Across the World performed the best. In
this show, travelers choose any route they like – but no flights are
allowed. Full chart
Dating reality show Temptation Island is so far the most
successful in-house production of German streaming service TV
Now. dwdl.de
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Smartshow.tv – Digital Unscripted Content Trends
About the Author
Smartshow.tv founder Ivan Krasko has over 12-years experience
in digital media and broadcasting. Emphasizing his analysis of
global TV and video content trends, with a focus on formats.
He works at the development department of the leading
broadcasters in Czechia and Slovakia. He researches global
content markets, tracks content trends and discovers successful
international content suitable for local adaptation.
As a former digital content manager, he has created complex
strategies for digital B2B projects, significantly increased online
traffic and strengthened the projects’ brands. Other expertise
include experience as a broadcasting data analyst.
E: ivan@smartshow.tv / Twitter / LinkedIn
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