First deal for feelgood Talpa format

Belgian free-to-air broadcaster VTM has become the first international buyer of The Wishing Tree, the new feel-good format from Netherlands-based Talpa.

ITV-owned Talpa launched the format at MIPCOM and free-to-air broadcaster VTM is the first confirmed buyer.

In the show, children hang wishes in a ‘wishing tree’, the twist being the wish is not for themselves but for a person they think deserves it.

The Wishing Tree launched in May 2015 on RTL4 in a Thursdays 8.30PM slot. It achieved an average market share of 21.4% in the key 20-49 demo, a increase of 10% on slot average. Free-to-air channel RTL4 has renewed the show for a second season.

Talpa head of global sales, Gepke Nederlof, said: “In the current television landscape, viewers are in need of uplifting shows with a positive vibe. This works perfectly with our approach to ‘emotainment’ shows like The Wishing Tree, moving formats that are able to touch viewers with their pure nature.”