STV Studios And NBCUniversal Sign Series Development Deal

STV Studios and NBCUniversal have signed a series development deal for innovative reality format, The Underdog, in the US.

The format, created by STV Studios label Primal Media and co-owned by GroupM Motion Entertainment, sees a cast of conventionally popular contestants – all with big online followings and a knack for influencing people – compete in a popularity contest. However, in amongst the group is an underdog that no one is expecting. He's an ordinary guy, has almost zero followers online, and is unfazed about trying to be the most popular.

None of the cast, including the underdog, know that a group made up of TV’s most iconic reality stars are living next door and controlling the game by setting tasks, introducing jaw-dropping format twists, mastering the art of manipulation, and using all that they’ve learnt about reality shows to make sure the underdog wins – at any cost…

The US rights were secured by Toby Gorman, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio (UTAS) and Ed Havard, SVP, Unscripted Programming, Universal International Studios (UIS) for development at NBC led by Corie Henson. Both UTAS and UIS are divisions of Universal Studio Group.

The deal was brokered on the STV Studios side by Creative Director of International Development, Josephine Brassey, and Commercial Director, Camilla Cope, who recently joined the team as part of STV Studios’ acquisition of Greenbird Media.

A UK version of the format is currently in the works for E4 produced by Primal Media and GroupM Motion Entertainment. The working title is Alan Must Win.

Outside of the US, All3Media International has been appointed the show’s global partner.

STV Studios was recently named Production Group of the Year at the 2023 Edinburgh TV Awards.

www.stvstudios.com