Show of the week: Let’s All Play With Memory

New for NATPE Europe was Banijay International format Let’s All Play with Memory, which was a resounding success for public broadcaster France 2 this year. The 120-minute special, from Banijay’s Air Productions and titled locally Tout le Monde Joue Avec le Mémoire, took four million viewers and a 17.5% share, 34% more than its slot average.

The ‘science-tainment’ format is perfect for pubcasters, claims Banijay International managing director Emmanuelle Namiech. “It really helps you understand how memory works,” she says.

The primetime format sees two presenters – one a popular celebrity doctor with the ability to explain how the brain works – set four memory quizzes for six celebrities. The questions do not require specific general knowledge and are instead based on games and fun. They include a memory cards round, a visual sketch element, a film recall round and a 3D video footage part.

There is also an interactive element, with viewers able to play along with the games at home through a dedicated app, which Namiech says was very popular in France. The tech allows users to compare their performance with others across the country.

There are discussions for two more specials on France 2, and Namiech adds that the franchise can expand beyond memory. “We could expand to Let’s All Play with History, for example,” she says.

The show: Let’s All Play with Memory
The producer: Air Productions
The distributor: Banijay International
The broadcaster: France 2
The concept: 1x120mins studio quiz special in which contestants and viewers at home test their memory skills