Norwegian format given life at Channel 4

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a local version of Norwegian format Born On following a deal with distributor DRG.

Each episode of the 4x60mins series will see three disparate individuals, one a celebrity, whose only link is being born on the same day reveal how their lives have travelled in very different directions. The stories combined create a picture of Britain’s social history.

The format comes from Monster Entertainment, the Scandinavian producer that’s part of DRG parent Nice Entertainment Group, and was for NRK. UK indie Outline Productions will produce the British version.

DRG launched the format at MIPTV in 2014 as a key title for its then-new DRG Formats arm, which TBI recently revealed had been discontinued as the UK-based company re-merged its catalogues.

Laura Mansfield and Bridget Boseley will executive produce for Outline, with Mary Crisp series producing. Channel 4’s Rob Coldstream and deputy chief content officer Ralph Lee commissioned the show.

“Born On is a fresh, exciting new way to explore Britain’s contemporary social history through the powerful personal stories of individuals and their very different experiences of the same historical events,” said Coldstream.

Norwegian pubcaster NRK has seen its original format take shares of 32%, which is nearly three times the channel average, since its launch earlier this year.

“At DRG we are committed to investing in groundbreaking content that will appeal to viewers around the world,” said DRG executive VP, content Noel Hedges.” We have a long standing relationship with NRK and a great deal of expertise in Nordic programming, and we are confident that the Born On format will achieve the same success in the UK that it has enjoyed in Norway.”