Aito, YLE present Santa model

Aito Media and YLE are working on a new kids scripted format using what they claim is a totally new business model.

The pair will produce two versions of Rescuing Santa, one in Finnish and one in Swedish.

The series also marks the opening of a turnkey production hub in Finland – effectively opening the territory up to international producers by allowing them to come and in and produce their own “high quality versions” of the show.

The format “will be easily repeatable and takes place in a high end virtual studio setting”, according to Aito’s Ilkka Hynninen.

Rescuing Santa is based on a reality series from Small World International Format Television and Aito – both Content Media Corporation partner companies – and was adapted as a scripted series by YLE.

It will follow five adventurous children invited to Christmas land as Santa’s special guests who find he is nowhere to be found just five days before Christmas.

Production begins immediately and will complete by MIPTV.  “Our goal is that there will be three countries coming in and producing the show for Christmas 2014,” said Small World CEO Tim Crescenti.