Talpa Studios’ renowned quiz show “The Floor” has accomplished a significant achievement: its 30th international adaptation.
The newest adaptations include a series set to debut in the Middle East and North Africa region on MBC, spanning 23 countries and engaging over 150 million viewers weekly, alongside a groundbreaking introduction into Asia with Nippon TV preparing to launch the show in Japan.
These new adaptations follow previous deals established in Eastern Europe and notable premieres in major markets such as the U.S., Australia, and France.
John de Mol, the visionary behind Talpa Studios, expressed his pride, stating: “Achieving our 30th commission is a milestone that fills us with pride. With the inclusion of the MENA region and our inaugural sale in Japan, we are showcasing the universal appeal of this format. It’s particularly special as it is the first time one of my formats will be aired in Japan, marking a significant moment in my career.”
Megumi Hisamichi, senior manager of programming and platform strategy at Nippon TV, added: “‘The Floor’ features an exciting stage and rapid gameplay, attracting attention with its innovative, audience-involved quiz format. I found great inspiration in this concept and immediately proposed producing a Japanese version through Nippon TV. We aim to maintain its original charm while leveraging our production expertise to enhance it for the Japanese audience.”
Samar Akrouk, group director of production at MBC Group and MBC Studios, stated: “This highlights MBC’s leadership and dedication to introducing premier global formats to Arab audiences. ‘The Floor’ is yet another successful international format that we are proud to adapt for our viewers.”
Akrouk further mentioned: “Our audience has consistently shown a strong liking for game shows, and ‘The Floor’ brings an exciting and modern twist to this genre—a twist we believe they’ll thoroughly enjoy.”
In “The Floor,” 100 trivia enthusiasts compete in quiz duels on a massive LED floor divided into one hundred squares, each square representing a specific area of knowledge. The objective is to dominate the entire floor and win a substantial cash prize. Contestants take turns challenging each other in a quiz duel based on the content of the squares they occupy. Categories vary from “famous athletes” to “Hollywood actors,” and from “iconic landmarks” to “mammals.” Questions may include visual aids such as images or sounds, while others incorporate open-ended queries, multiple-choice formats, and associations. The victor of each duel captures their opponent’s square, gaining territory, while the defeated contestant exits the game.
Over 15 localized adaptations have been launched from Talpa Studios’ production center in the Netherlands, with additional hubs located in the Baltics and Argentina. “This infrastructure has become a fundamental aspect of Talpa Studios’ rollout strategy, focusing on affordable, efficient, studio-based productions, supported by local expertise and adaptable to international collaborators,” stated the company.
Sebastian van Barneveld, director of global distribution at Talpa Studios, remarked: “The success witnessed by ‘The Floor’ is a testament to the format’s inherent strength. Our hub model enables us to accelerate processes and foster a collaborative environment with partners. This strategy extends beyond ‘The Floor’ as we are already implementing it with other concepts like ‘The Quiz With Balls.’ By generating various local versions from a single production set, we enhance our operational efficiency and help partners globally bring their studio-based entertainment projects to life.”
