Exclusive: ‘Lego Masters’ reaches 20th remake milestone as RTL Hungary orders local version

Lego Masters (US)

Hit format Lego Masters has reached its 20th country, TBI has learned, with RTL Hungary ordering a local version of the competition reality show.

The Hungarian version will see pairs compete against each other to wow judges with inspiring designs and brick builds. Budapest-based UFA Magyarország has started production on the series, which will air in 2023.

The deal has been struck with distributor Banijay Rights and comes as buyers congregate at NATPE Budapest this week.

Lego Masters was originally created in 2017 by Tuesday’s Child Television for Channel 4 in the UK and has now been remade in 20 countries, following recent deals with TBS in Japan, a coproduction between TV Markiza in Slovakia and TV Nova in the Czech Republic, and several multi-seasons runs in markets including the US (Fox) and Australia (Nine).

Leveraging Lego

Peter Kolosi, chief content officer at RTL Hungary, said: “The show is a completely new format for our viewers, that builds on creativity, fun and excitement at the same time. Lego is a shared experience, we have all played with it, and we are happy to bring families together and watch something which is enjoyable for everybody.”

Lucas Green

Banijay Right’s Veronique Verges, SVP of German-speaking territories, Poland & Hungary, brokered the deal with RTL and said the format’s success lay in the “uplifting viewing” it offers audiences.

Lucas Green, Banijay’s chief content officer for operations added that the format “can scale up or down” depending on the market, spawning a variety of treatments.

“The Australian version really stands out, having super-charged the show with huge, outdoor, and spectacular builds (and smashes). What their adaptation brings most distinctively, though, is a brilliant sense of humour that appeals to grown-ups, family audiences and kids alike. It’s tongue-in-cheek, mischievous and almost Deadpool-like in its ability to break down the fourth wall.

“We were recently in Japan for their first adaptation of the format, and it was everything you’d expect – fizzing with energy, inventive and uniquely Japanese. Their backstage Brick Pit was the biggest and most meticulously organised we had ever seen. Not only did their version seamlessly reflect the local culture, but it was also wonderful to see an international format make such an impact in a market which has previously been difficult to crack.”

Green added that the country-by-country approach to format sales, rather than streamers optioning swathes of territories at once, is helping to encourage orders from cash-strapped broadcasters.

“It has always been our preferred model to see a format adapted country-by-country as this is best for our rights position. It also helps de-risk big commissions when clients can lean into our international consultancy and experience in previous markets.”