French network to make Talpa’s Puppet Show

French commercial network TF1 is the first overseas broadcaster to create a local version of Dutch entertainment format The Puppet Show.

The Talpa Media-produced-and-owned format debuted in the Netherlands on SBS6 and was a ratings hit. The first season increased its average slot share for the key 20-49 demographic by 127.7%.

The opening episode on Talpa-backed SBS6 delivered over one million viewers in an 8.30pm-10pm slot that averages 450,000 to 500,000.

The family-focused talent format features puppeteers from the general public who present and perform routines with their creations in front of a judging panel that includes a puppet star.

“During the creative process a lot of people said ‘is this a joke?’ and a lot of international partners wanted to know how it would work. We wanted a show for the whole family that could also take people by surprise and within the talent genre, this is unique,” Talpa Global managing director Maarten Meijs told TBI earlier this year.

“It has a lot of viewer touchpoints; the show is on TV, there is an online platform where people can learn some of the skills and how to create puppets, and [puppet judge] Miss Izzy will soon appear in a retail promotion.”