Talpa Studios eyes streaming push with Signal.Stream pact & new SBS6 format ‘No Way Out’

Giel de Winter & Wouter van der Pauw (Source: Talpa)

John de Mol’s Talpa Studios is looking to tap into global streaming audiences by partnering with Giel de Winter and Wouter van der Pauw’s prodco Signal.Stream, with the first format from the partnership set to debut on de Mol’s Talpa Network-owned SBS6 in January.

Signal.Stream was founded by former Talpa Network execs De Winter and Van Der Pauw 18 months ago and creates unscripted shows for digital-native audiences, with output including Super Lions (aka Superleeuwen), a docuseries about Moroccan footballers during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Specifics of the partnership between the two companies have not been revealed but Talpa said its Studios unit would act “as an accelerator and creative supporter” to Signal.Stream, with No Way Back – set to debut 7 January – the first project to emerge.

The format follows 16 adventurers who are led by a well-known former special forces member on a grueling 12-day-long trail in Norway’s rugged nature as they bid to complete missions and win €100,000 ($110,000).

At the end of each stage, contestants convene at camps and can choose to leave the competition as conditions get increasingly tough. The prize money is won by those who complete the trail but if they fail any of the stages, the cash is shared by those who have chosen to stay behind.

De Mol said Signal.Stream “knows and can reach new target audiences, while Talpa Studios brings its vast experience in format development and international distribution. I’m convinced that with this cooperation and Giel and Wouter’s creativity, we can launch exciting and innovative formats.”

Maarten Meijs, CEO at Talpa Studios, added that the collaboration would “bring fresh, new ideas from their backgrounds in successful formats and advertising” to create “strong formats that can travel the world and reflect the current era.”

Van der Pauw said: “Leveraging [Talpa’s] network, we can introduce our fresh ideas to global audiences. The flexibility and dynamism of our collaboration will enhance our ideas, ensuring a more significant impact. We look forward to working with the creative team at Talpa Studios within this extensive partnership.”