France’s TF1, Germany’s ProSieben and Joyn and Finland’s MTV3 secure licence for original comedy gameshow format
Nation’s Dumbest has been an instant hit since we launched the format at MIPCOM last year. With adaptations now confirmed across four European territories and more to come, this bold and entertaining concept with its humour, relatability and originality, is a perfect example of how our content travels”.— Matt Forde, President, BBC Studios Global Productions
BBC Studios today announced three new international licences for Montreux Film and Fjernsyn’s hit comedy gameshow format Nation’s Dumbest. France’s TF1, Germany’s ProSieben and Joyn and Finland’s MTV3 are the latest to adapt the format, joining Sweden’s TV4.
Already a ratings hit in Norway with a second series now airing on TV2 and TV2 Play, the format won the Best New Format award at the Norwegian TV Festival and the Innovation of the year award at the Gullruten Award 2025.
On its debut in Sweden on TV4 last month, the format was the #1 show of the day and achieved over 1.1 million viewers for the premiere. In Germany, the six-part series for ProSieben and Joyn, locally named Deutschlands Dümmster Promi and hosted by Amira Aly and Christian Düren, airs from this month with eight local celebrities competing.
BBC Studios France Productions are on board to produce the series this autumn for TF1 while in Finland, Fremantle Media Finland will produce an eight-part series for MTV3, named locally as Suomen Älyttömin Julkkis, starting production this winter.
Nation’s Dumbest is the first ever television show where the loser is the winner. Celebrities fight it out to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest. From influencers to wrestlers, comedians to politicians, the contestants are put to the test in a series of entertaining physical and mental rounds in this successful, relatable, and family-friendly show about all the things you really should know.
Matt Forde, President, BBC Studios Global Productions, said “Nation’s Dumbest has been an instant hit since we launched the format at MIPCOM last year. With adaptations now confirmed across four European territories and more to come, this bold and entertaining concept with its humour, relatability and originality, is a perfect example of how our content travels”.
Buyers who are bringing Nation’s Dumbest to international screens will form part of the agenda for BBC Studios Presents: Premium Unscripted Formats, a one-off session at MIPCOM on Monday 13 October, 15:30–16:30 CET, Auditorium K.
The session will cover breakthrough unscripted formats – from global hits to future trailblazers, including brand new BBC One game shows Wisdom of the Crowd and The Inner Circle. Bold, original formats from the studio shaping what the world watches next.
From the creators of The 1% Club, Magnum Productions, comes their latest show Wisdom of the Crowd. The show sees one contestant take on the Crowd – but can they beat them and win big? How much does the average person spend on an engagement ring? How many pairs of underpants does the average man own? Intriguing questions, but would your answers beat the average guess of a crowd of 200 people? The science behind the Wisdom of the Crowd says they should win almost every time. It’s time to find out in this high-stakes, high-octane, prime-time gameshow as a series of brave contestants individually take on the might of the Crowd in a bid to win big money. If they succeed, they take home the cash. If they fail, the Crowd will share the accumulated ‘Crowd Fund’ at the end of the season. It’s the ultimate David vs Goliath gameshow – has anyone got what it takes to beat the Wisdom of the Crowd?
The Inner Circle – made by multi-award-winning TV production company Tern – is a game show where strategy and trust are as important as general knowledge. The aim of the game? Get the most cash and best brains into the final. Six players start this tense game show with a secret stash between zero and £4,000. The twist? Only the player knows if they’re sitting on a fortune. Over four rounds, contestants are tested on general knowledge and strategic thinking. But this game isn’t just about what you know – it’s about who you can trust. Each round, a player is cast out until just two remain and face the ultimate decision – split the jackpot and walk away as equals or shaft the other player and leave them with nothing. Who would you trust?
BBC Studios will be located at P0.E1 within the Palais des Festivals Verrière section at the market.
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios is the main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd and generated revenues of £2.1 billion in the last year and profits of over £200 million for a fourth consecutive year. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the content studio, which produces, invests and distributes TV and audio globally and media & streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including UKTV, BBC.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made almost 3,300 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide range of UK and global broadcasters and platforms. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.
(Source: BBC)
