BBC Worldwide conducts Maestro format deal

BBC Worldwide has struck a deal for a new, local version of its conducting format Maestro, TBI has learned.

The commercial arm of UK public broadcaster the BBC has shopped the format to Croatian pubcaster HRT.

In the show celebrities train to become orchestra conductors before taking control at a large, televised concert.

The seven-part Croatian version will go out on the HRT1 channel and production will get underway in September for a launch later in the year.

HRT has been an active acquirer of Worldwide formats having previously bought Dancing with the Stars, Just the Two of Us and Last Choir Standing.

The Choir format, meanwhile, has now been sold into several international territories. Avro in Holland, SVT in Sweden and DR in Denmark have all taken local versions.

Elin Thomas, BBC Worldwide’s director of global formats, said: “It’s a thrill to see the success of Maestro in other territories translate to a sale to HRT where we are sure there are many celebrities who are itching to try their hands at conducting an orchestra.”