International Reality TV Show “The Box” Makes Waves
The reality TV landscape is constantly evolving, and a new show is shaking things up. “The Box,” a unique format developed by Seefood TV, is generating critically important buzz even before its official premiere in Norway.
Initially unveiled at MIPCOM in Cannes last October, ”the Box” has already secured international remakes in Denmark and the Netherlands, a rare feat for a show that hasn’t yet aired in its home country. This unconventional approach stands in contrast to the typical industry practice of waiting for a show’s domestic success before pursuing international distribution.
The Norwegian version of “The Box” premieres on TV2 on January 9th,2025. RTL Nederlands and TV2 Denmark have both commissioned their own local adaptations, with the Danish version slated for release later this year.The show’s creator and producer, Aleksander Herresthal, expressed his excitement, stating, “We greatly appreciate the international interest in The Box. Discussions are ongoing with more than 20 territories considering the format, and we’ve already finalized deals in five additional countries, which will be announced at a later stage, as they are not yet official.”
The show’s premise is intriguing: twelve celebrity contestants are confined to individual boxes. Upon opening,they face immediate challenges,requiring fast thinking and collaboration. Each episode culminates in a duel, eliminating one pair of contestants. trygve Rønningen, TV2’s program Director in Norway, describes the show as, “the Box is an entirely new and original reality format of high quality.”
Herresthal further emphasizes the show’s innovative nature, saying, “We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to bring such a large and spectacular reality concept to life, especially one based on a paper format we’ve developed ourselves.It’s rare to see this happen today, but Seefood TV and TV2 are showing that it’s possible when the concept is both strong and original.” This bold strategy highlights a shift in the reality TV market, with networks increasingly seeking fresh, unique formats to capture audience attention.
The success of “The Box” could signal a broader trend in the reality TV industry, with networks potentially becoming more open to investing in innovative, unproven formats.the show’s international appeal suggests a potential for significant growth and influence in the global entertainment market.
Innovation in Reality TV: An Interview with Michael Davies
Erin williams, Senior editor, world-today-news.com : Welcome, Michael. Thanks for joining me today. I’m excited to talk about this intriguing new reality show, “the Box,” which is making waves before even airing!
Michael Davies, TV Producer and Reality TV Expert: It’s my pleasure to be here. “The Box” really is a interesting exmaple of what’s happening in the industry right now.It’s incredibly rare for a show to gain international interest before even premiering domestically, and
It just reinforces that audiences are craving fresh, innovative concepts.
Erin Williams : Absolutely. The article mentions “The Box” secured remakes in Denmark and the Netherlands before the Norwegian premiere.What does this tell us about the current reality TV landscape?
Michael Davies: It tells us that the old model of waiting for domestic success before expanding globally is evolving. Networks are now more willing to take a chance on a truly unique concept with strong international appeal.
Erin Williams: And “The Box” certainly seems unique! Twelve celebrities confined to individual boxes,facing challenges requiring collaboration and fast thinking. Can you elaborate on what makes this premise so compelling?
Michael Davies: It’s the combination of elements. The isolation, the element of surprise, the forced collaboration – it creates inherent tension and drama.
Plus, the duels each episode add a layer of competition that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. It’s a fresh take on the reality competition format.
Erin Williams: The article mentions that the show’s creator and producer, Aleksander Herresthal, developed the show himself.This is unusual in Today’s TV landscape. What are the challenges and opportunities for creators like Herresthal?
Michael Davies: Creating original content is always challenging. Getting buy-in from networks can be tough, but when a creator has a truly innovative concept, like Herresthal does with “The Box,” network interest grows considerably.
It shows that there’s still room for fresh voices and ideas in the industry.
Erin Williams:
Do you think “The Box” could spark a trend of networks investing in unproven, but creatively original formats?
Michael Davies: I truly believe it has the potential to. The success of “The Box” could open doors for more creators with bold ideas. Networks are always looking for the next big thing,and “The Box” may just be the catalyst for a shift towards more originalcontent.
Erin Williams:
thank you so much for your insights, michael.I think “the Box” definitely has the potential to shake things up
in the reality TV world. I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds!
