Talent Television

MIPCOM NEWS - Cannes, 9 October, 2003 - UK indie entertainment producer Talent Television has brokered a deal for a Japanese version of popular Eyeworks live event format 'Test the Nation - the National IQ Test', it was announced at MIPCOM today by Tony Humphreys, Talent's MD.

The first-ever Japanese version of the interactive entertainment show is set to air later this year on TV Asahi, and will be co-produced with one of Japan's leading production house TV Man Union. Talent Television have been retained as programme consultants, with their team to be lead by Talent producer Akifumi Takagi.

Talent TV acquired the Japanese rights for Test the Nation from Dutch creator Eyeworks, along with those for the UK and Ireland. Talent's popular Test the Nation series for BBC One in the UK is on its second year, with the sixth national TV challenge set to air in December of this year.

Test the Nation - the National IQ Test will be produced by Kazutaka Hasumi of TV Asahi and Toshiro Uratani from TV Man Union. TV Asahi's Hiroshi Hayakawa, TV Man Union's Yutaka Shigenobu. Co-creator Reinout Oerlemans will Executive Produce for Eyeworks.

Tony Humphreys, Managing Director of Talent Television, commented, 'This latest deal for Test the Nation with TV Asahi and TV Man Union cements Talent's reputation as one of the few foreign production companies with strong ties in Japan. We are pleased that our uniquely close relationships with both companies have resulted in this exciting venture, and look forward to what promises to be an exciting Japanese debut for the show.'

Mr. Kazutaka Hasumi of TV Asahi, added, 'TV Asahi is delighted to be part of the international family of broadcasters that have produced Test the Nation.'

Mr Yutaka Shigenobu, CEO of TV Man Union, said, 'Having worked closely with Talent Television over the last few years on the development of a number of projects, TV Man Union is looking forward to our first production together with great anticipation.'

Reinout Oerlemans, Eyeworks CEO, added, 'Since coming up with the idea of having a National IQ test, the format has succeeded on the international stage beyond my wildest expectations. I am thrilled that Test the Nation works so well with different cultures across the globe. I am particularly proud of the Japanese National IQ Test, as there are so few foreign entertainment formats produced in Japan, and I look forward to working with our partners on this programme.'

For further information:
Kate Hobbs / Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Company
Tel: +44 (0)20 7745 7189
e-mail: khobbs@lippingroup.com, dlawrence@lippingroup.com

Notes to editors:

Talent Television is a leading independent UK format creator and producer of innovative television, video and interactive programming. Talent Television is a pioneer in reality entertainment with The Villa (first produced for Sky One in 1999), as well as counting the Test the Nation series for BBC1 and TV Scrabble series for Challenge TV among its highly successful, prime-time interactive entertainment catalogue. Talent Kids, the company's children's division, recently announced its first commission, to develop a new family game series for Disney Channel UK.

Talent Television also has strong ties with international broadcasters, especially in Japan, with recent HDTV documentary Turner's Return for NHK, and a string of programmes for TV Asahi including the Spaceship Earth series.

Talent Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Talent Group plc.

Eyeworks is a 100% independent Production Company based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands whose focus is on television; development of formats, production and distribution. Founded by Reinout Oerlemans, Eyeworks has proved to be a distinguishing factor in the creative development of content by bringing successful concepts to market and is currently operating in all major television territories around the globe.