Talpa and Tencent strike Chinese deal

John de Mol’s Talpa and Chinese online video site Tencent are working together on a new reality show for the Chinese market.

Details of the show itself, including its title, have not been released. Talpa said that the show will be developed and produced jointly by it and Tencent and will debut in 2015 on the Tencent Video platform, which is the second largest in China.

SY Lau, senior EVP of Tencent and president of its Online Media Group said: “We believe that our pioneering and win-win partnership will help meet the increasing demand of online video content in China, bringing more exciting viewing experiences to Chinese Internet users.”

John de Mol (pictured) added: “Over the years it’s been my experience that, if you have a well- outlined basic idea for a format in this genre, reality generates itself. I am therefore very pleased Talpa has the opportunity to work together with such a great company as Tencent Video to develop and produce an entirely Chinese show that will attract a vast audience.”

Talpa backer Dasym Orient facilitated the deal. De Mol is currently weighing at bids for Talpa, with rumours suggesting a Chinese media group is among the interested parties for the formats company, which also owns a minority stake in the SBS channels in the Netherlands.