Berlin, 18 September 2012 – The most contemporary and innovative programme formats** across all genres in public service broadcasting (PSB) have been recognised at the 7th Eurovision Creative Forum in Berlin.

The most contemporary and innovative programme formats** across all genres in public service broadcasting (PSB) have been recognised at the 7th Eurovision Creative Forum in Berlin.

The Eurovision Creative Forum provides Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) with a forum to exchange successful formats, share ideas, and ultimately save on production costs. Genres include educational game shows, factual entertainment, lifestyle programmes, edutainment, reality TV and more.

The Eurovision Creative Forum was attended by more than 130 EBU participants from around the world, including directors of programming, heads of acquisition, commissioning editors, producers and heads of entertainment.

Bettina Brinkmann, Eurovision Head of TV said, “This year the Eurovision Creative Forum awarded first prize to an innovative and inspiring format, La Grande Battle, a unique talent show mixing contemporary and classical music with broad appeal.”

The winners of the 7 Best Formats:

1. France Télévisions – La Grande Battle
A prime-time cultural entertainment talent show with a bold concept mixing classical and contemporary music. One of France’s favourite TV hosts Nagui and a specialist in classical music Jean-François Zygel present "La Grande Battle". 300 contestants are selected by internet users. Ten finalists battle it out against a symphonic orchestra comprising 90 musicians. The show has been extremely popular across all ages in France. 2.8 million people tune into “La Grande Battle”, which represents a 11.7 per cent audience share. 

2. DR – Detektor
Fun and fast-paced factual entertainment, “Detektor” is a format helping viewers to get the facts straight.

3. NHK, Japan – Socrates' Human Resources
A live studio entertainment quiz show to tackle the tough and sometimes bizarre questions that are asked at job interviews by leading companies. 

Runners up:
TRT, Turkey - Living photos
SRF, Switzerland - Our Hamlet!
KBS, Korea - Masterpiece Scandal
VRT, Belgium - Wild Boar
The event was hosted by public broadcaster ZDF and organized by the EBU in cooperation with the Eurovision Formats Core Group (SVT, ZDF, VRT, RTÉ, NPO, RTVSLO and BBC) and was technically supported by the online platform Eurovision Showcase.
The Eurovision Creative Forum has traditionally been a launch pad for success. Various formats have been adapted for other markets and awarded prizes.

** What is a programme format?
A format comprises the elements and characteristics of a programme that create its unique look and feel. It is a license to produce and to broadcast a national version of a copyrighted foreign television programme and to use its name. Significant cost savings can be made by broadcasters adopting formats.


Note to editors:

*About Eurovision
Eurovision, operated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is the industry's premier distributor and producer of top quality live sport and news, as well as entertainment, culture and music content.
The Eurovision satellite and fibre network is the largest and most reliable in the world directly plugged in to public service media everywhere.
Eurovision's staff of experienced media professionals acquire and manage media rights on behalf of EBU Members, and provide network, transmission and events services to the broadcasting industry.
www.eurovision.com and www.ebu.ch @EBU_Eurovision #ebu #eurovision

** What is a programme format?
A format describes all elements and characteristics of a programme that create its unique look and feel. It is a license to produce and to broadcast a national version of a copyrighted foreign television programme and to use its name. Large cost savings can be made by broadcasters adopting formats.