Amazon Prime Video doubles down on local format strategy in Nordics

Sweathearts

Amazon Prime Video has expanded its Nordic offering by ordering local versions of three formats, in addition to a new movie deal via Nordisk Film.

In total 18 shows have been formally unveiled, including a local remake of Japan’s LOL: Last One Laughing format, which will be hosted by actress Eva Rose and produced in Sweden by Jarowskij. Amazon has already found success with the format in France.

The streamer has also picked up three formats, with each being remade for subscribers in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

The three formats are: ITV Studios’ practical joke show Pranked; Fremantle’s dating format Sweathearts; and Banijay’s Good Luck Guys.

Pranked is being remade across the region by ITVS, while Sweathearts is being produced by Fremantle’s Baluba (Sweden), Monster (Norway), Strong Productions (Denmark) and Moskito (Finland).

Good Luck Guys, which debuted on France’s W9, follows reality stars as they survive in rural Thailand, is being produced by Meter (Sweden), Mastiff (Denmark), Mastiff (Norway) and Banijay Nordics (Finland).

The shows join previously announced local versions of The Bridge, which is also being produced by Banijay, and comedy Toppen.

Amazon Prime Video has been expanding its format strategy over the past 18 months, since striking a global option deal for local remakes of Banijay’s popular adventure reality format Hunted, as revealed by TBI.

The streamer has also snagged an exclusive pact with Nordisk Film, which will see movies such as The World’s Smallest Adventure and Ballad Of Song Birds becoming available to customers from 2023.

Martin Backlund, head of UK & Nordics at Prime Video, said the shows “demonstrate our commitment to the Nordics in the long term.”