CANNES, France — Sony Pictures Television is set to introduce the format “Trainer Games” at Cannes’ Mipcom, a fitness competition reality show produced by Nick Rigg’s Brass Monkeys Media, pushing contestants and fitness enthusiasts to their endurance limits.
“Trainer Games” represents a fresh entry in SPT’s Mipcom lineup, coinciding with its return to the event, which has been buzzing with early sales agreements and sneak peeks at strong scripted series like “The Miniature Wife,” “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” “Lord of the Flies,” “The Lady,” and “Titanic Sinks Tonight.”
Sky has secured rights for the U.K. and Ireland to “The Miniature Wife,” an eagerly anticipated comedy-drama from Sony Pictures TV featuring Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games”) alongside Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”). The series is scheduled to premiere on Sky and NOW in 2026.
Additionally, the spinoff “S.W.A.T. Exiles” has revealed its first image of Shemar Moore alongside new cast members as production begins in Los Angeles.
The BBC also shared initial images for “Lord of the Flies,” creatively led by Jack Thorne, co-creator of “Adolescence,” as well as new visuals from the dramatized documentary “Titanic Sinks Tonight.”
As a major Hollywood studio lacking its own streaming platform, Sony is expected to be a standout at Mipcom, leveraging its strategy to offer not only titles from subsidiaries like the U.K.’s Left Bank Pictures (“The Crown”) and Eleven (“Sex Education”), but also acquiring third-party productions.
This year, Sony’s presence is amplified by a significant appearance. Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony Pictures Television, will engage in a C-Suite Conversations session at Mipcom, conducting a one-on-one interview with Cynthia Littleton, co-Editor in Chief of Variety, on Monday, Oct. 13 at the Palais des Festivals.
The session will be followed by Mipcom’s exclusive opening night screening of “The Miniature Wife,” with stars Matthew Macfadyen, O-T Fagbenle, and Sian Clifford participating in a post-screening Q&A session.
What SPT is Introducing in Unscripted and Latin American Content
Nick Rigg, a seasoned player in unscripted formats with Brass Monkeys Media’s partnership with Sony Pictures Television, is celebrated for hits like “House Hunters International” and the culturally resonant “Tiny House Nation.” “Trainer Games,” yet to be publicly revealed, promises a shift in direction as a reality competition focused not solely on strength but on empathy, trust, and the ability to rally others to the finish line, set against breathtaking landscapes. Contestants will vie for a substantial cash reward and a chance to represent a sports brand as instructors or ambassadors.
SPT will also reveal “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Hot Seat” to global partners, capitalizing on recent developments in the U.K. where a version led by SPT’s Stellify Media has been greenlit by ITV, along with an Australian reimagining from Curio Pictures, another SPT venture.
“Shark Tank Creators Version,” a re-envisioned iteration of the business format, will also be showcased.
SPT Latam will present “Carlota,” a significant scripted offering from the region featuring a distinguished Spanish-language cast, alongside the game show “Piensa Rápido,” hosted by comedian Adrián Uribe.
“Our current slate of series exemplifies exceptional storytelling. We have content that appeals to diverse audiences,” expressed Mike Wald and Jason Spivak, Co-Presidents of Distribution & Networks at Sony Pictures Television, in anticipation of engaging with industry colleagues globally next week.
An overview of highlighted titles:
Key Titles from Sony Pictures Television Scripted:
“The Miniature Wife”
Episodes: 10
Produced by Media Res for Peacock (US); Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Availability: Worldwide excluding U.S.
From Media Res (“The Morning Show,” “Pachinko”), this dramedy explores the dynamics of power between spouses Lindy and Les (portrayed by Banks and Macfadyen), who find their lives upended following a technological mishap that causes Lindy to shrink. Based on a short story by Miguel Gonzalez, the project, which Variety calls “highly anticipated,” is crafted by Jennifer Ames and Steve Turner, known for their work on (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Goliath”), both serving as showrunners.
“S.W.A.T. Exiles”
Episodes: 10
Produced and Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Availability: Worldwide
Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson returns from retirement to lead a new SWAT team filled with rookies, where he must unify them into a cohesive unit to safeguard the city and uphold the program that defined his career, as described in the synopsis. This spinoff is helmed by showrunner Jason Ning (“Lucifer&) and was introduced at the L.A. Screenings shortly after CBS canceled the original series, providing a fresh narrative focusing on the clash of generational cultures between Gen X and Gen Z, as noted by Sony Pictures TV Studios president Katherine Pope to Variety.
“Lord Of The Flies”
4 x 60-minute episodes
Produced by Eleven for the BBC (U.K.) and Stan (Australia); Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Availability: Worldwide excluding U.K. & Australia
This is the first television adaptation of William Golding’s classic 1954 novel, with a script by “Adolescence” co-writer Jack Thorne. Directed by Marc Munden (“Help,” “The Sympathizer”), this four-part series is produced by SPT UK’s Eleven, featuring a score co-created with renowned Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, with chapters named after its key characters: Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and Jack.
“The Lady”
4 x 60”
Produced by Left Bank Pictures for ITV (U.K.) and BritBox International (U.S.); Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Availability: Worldwide excluding UK, US
Mia McKenna-Bruce (“How to Have Sex”) stars as Jane Andrews, with Natalie Dormer portraying Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, in this semi-fictional narrative detailing Andrews’ rise as the Duchess’s aide and subsequent fall following a murder conviction. The four-part drama is based on real events and written by Debbie O’Malley (“Payback”), directed by Lee Haven Jones (“A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story”). Left Bank Pictures makes its return to narratives involving the British royal family after “The Crown.”
“Titanic Sinks Tonight”
4 x 60”
Produced by Stellify Media for BBC (U.K.); Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Availability: Worldwide excluding U.K.
This four-part real-time docudrama recounts the Titanic’s sinking, detailed through genuine survivor testimonies, charting the experiences of 16 individuals in parallel, with each episode mirroring an hour of the ship’s final hours. SPT emphasizes, “This is the Titanic story as it has never been depicted – immersive, urgent, and profoundly human.” This series also showcases Mipcom 2025’s virtual production efforts, facilitated by Northern Ireland’s Studio Ulster.
Sony Unscripted Formats
“Trainer Games”
Produced by Brass Monkeys Media in partnership with iFit. Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Debuting at Mipcom, this competition features 10 fitness enthusiasts battling it out in a stunning yet harsh environment under the guidance of three elite trainers. This competition is centered not only on physical prowess but also on qualities like empathy and the ability to uplift fellow contestants. The standout participant will receive a transformative cash prize and a contract to represent a major sports brand as a fitness ambassador or instructor.
Trainer Games
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television
“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Hot Seat”
Versions produced by Stellify Media and Curio Pictures. Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Originally launched in Australia in 2009, this format has been revitalized with a new order from ITV for a U.K. version to be hosted by Jeremy Clarkson. Concurrently, there’s a fresh take being developed by SPT-backed Curio Pictures in Australia. Matthew Worthy, co-CEO of Stellify Media, characterizes the show as “the cheeky younger sibling of the main format,” designed for shorter, fast-paced half-hour episodes.
“Shark Tank Creators Version”
Produced by Floresta. Distributed by Sony Pictures Television. This pioneering digital-first reimagining of the globally recognized business show is designed specifically for YouTube and the creator landscape. Produced for Shark Tank Brazil’s YouTube channel, the series has received dual nominations at the Mipcom’s C21 International Format Awards for Best Digital-First Format and Brand-Driven Format.
SPT Latam Productions
“Carlota”
Following the successful “Sisi” in Mexico, this historical extravaganza intertwines themes of remarkable women and modern societal norms. Launched at the L.A. Screenings, featuring an all-star cast including Mexican pop sensation Belinda (“Who Killed Him?”), Jaime Lorente (“Money Heist”), Miguel Ángel Silvestre (“Velvet”), and Mabel Cadena (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”). The narrative explores the life of Carlota of Hapsburg, Mexico’s only Empress, advocating her liberal principles. Directed by Alejandro Bazzano (“Money Heist”) and Ana Lorena Pérez Ríos (“Como Agua Para Chocolate”), this high-end series is set to premiere soon.
“Piensa Rápido”
Distributed by Sony Pictures Television
Recently premiered on TelevisaUnivision’s UniMas, this Mexican adaptation of “America Says” airs on the U.S. cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), also a Sony property. Contestants comprised of friends and family compete to guess popular answers to a variety of general knowledge and cultural queries as quickly as possible. Hosted by the beloved comedian Adrián Uribe, who portrays one of his characters, El Víctor.
