Maverick brings Fatonomics, Culture Quiz to Cannes

A dieting-meets-economics format and a culture-based quiz will roll out in Cannes next month with All3Media International launching the pair of Maverick Television formats at the market.

UK producer Maverick is behind Fatonomics.

The format attempts to help dieters shed the pounds by using the loss aversion principle and punishing them financially if they fail to hit their weight-loss targets. To up the ante, the dieters are paired with people they dislike and face losing money to their rival.

A four-part UK version has been commissioned by Channel 4 and will be fronted by Embarrassing Bodies presenter Christian Jessen (pictured).

The other Maverick format launching at MIPCOM is The Great Culture Quiz.

The studio gameshow will debut on UK pay TV channel Sky Arts in the UK later this year. The format sees two cultural organisations pitted against one another over four rounds of arts and culture themed general knowledge.

Maverick is part of the All3Media group, now owned by a Discovery and Liberty Global holding company. It is selling both formats and will be pitching them to buyers in Cannes.

“Maverick brings a great experience in medical and “ body–matter” programming such as 10 Years Younger and Miss Naked Beauty, and their shows are always pertinent and intelligent, so we are confident that Fatonomics will be taken seriously by broadcasters around the world,” said Maartje Horchner, head of acquisitions at All3media International.

She added: “The Great Culture Quiz offers witty and entertaining challenge for the higher brow – it’s a delightful interpretation of the quiz show.”