Talpa signs multi-million dollar deal in China


Details

Rebecca Hawkes

| 01 February 2016




ITV-owned Talpa Global has found a new Chinese partner for The Voice and a multitude of the Dutch production company’s other variety formats.


Zhejiang Tangde will produce over 200 TV shows in China for which Talpa holds the copyright, including a US$60 million licensing and broadcast deal for seasons five to eight of The Voice of China. Zhejiang Tangde has also committed to investing $50 million in the joint venture for the development of other local productions.

The first series to be broadcast under the deal will be the celebrity talent show Dance, Dance, Dance.

“I am delighted to announce our exciting new partnership with Zhejiang Tangde,” said John De Mol, founder of Talpa Media. “I firmly believe that we have found a great new business partner with whom we look to expand our business in Greater China and beyond.

“The Chinese television landscape has undergone a transformation over the past few years, and China now has the capacity to produce big entertainment shows. We are thrilled to be bringing fresh ideas to the fantastic Chinese audience and by their massive support for The Voice of China.”

The news came on 29 January, as Talpa reportedly filed legal action in a Hong Kong court against Star China Media, its former partner for The Voice of China. Star China stands accused of unlicensed use of the reality talent show format by Talpa, who says it terminated all existing contractual rights relating to the show in China on 8 January.

Season four of The Voice of China, broadcast by Star China Media and featuring celebrity judges Na Ying, Wang Feng, Jay Chou and Harlem Yu, was the country’s top-ranked show for all 13 weeks, according to CSM Media Research.