TV Tokyo format sparks a sale

Network inks deal with Swedish distributor

By MARK SCHILLING

TOKYO -- TV Tokyo, the smallest of Japan's five networks, has inked a deal with Stockholm-based worldwide format distributor Sparks Network, the net announced Thursday.

TV Tokyo will license to Sparks the format of a segment of "National Family Challenge," in which families undertake extraordinary challenges to win 1 million yen ($9,390). In the segment, the show's presenters visit the contestants and try to find them hiding in their homes.

TV Tokyo has long been successful distribbing its toons abroad, but this format deal for a live-action show is a first.

It follows similar deals by the TV Asashi network with the William Morris Agency and by comedy talent shop Yoshimoto Kogyo with Creative Artists Agency.

Japanese formats have become hot internationally with the overseas success of "Ninja Warrior," "Hole in the Wall," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" and others.

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