Nordic broadcaster group adds formats for new division

Nordic World, the programme sales group formed by the most influential broadcasters in the region, has inked a content deal with Northern Alliance Group. Nordic World will launch a new formats division at MIP TV in April and will distribute shows from Northern Alliance as well as its existing partners.

Nordic World said that Northern Alliance is the last remaining indie production group in the region. It comprises Finland’s Moskito, Norway’s Monster, Denmark’s Gong and Sweden’s Baluba.

The group will contribute 20 formats to the Nordic World slate including comedy series Is This Funny, which airs on TV2 Zebra in Denmark and is about to be optioned to the US and travel show Roast the Nation, which airs on Comedy Central in Sweden.

“Broadcasters and independent producers in [the Nordic] region might be fierce competitors in each of their local markets, but when doing business outside of our home territories we should stand shoulder to shoulder,” said Jan Salling, the former Zodiak and Banijay exec who is heading up the new Nordic World formats unit.

Nordic World comprises broadcasters TV2 and NRK (Norway), TV4 (Sweden), MTV3 and YLE (Finland), TV2 (Denmark) and K2 (Estonia).