Japan’s Fuji Television partners with Tim Crescenti

Japan’s Fuji Television Network has agreed a strategic partnership with format expert Tim Crescenti and his company, Small World International Format Television.

Crescenti’s non-exclusive deal will see him represent Fuji TV’s format library worldwide while the format veteran will also provide advisory services to assist the Japanese broadcaster’s development slate.

Fuji TV is behind formats including Iron Chef and Hole in the Wall, which is distributed by Fremantle.

Crescenti and Small World have been a long-standing link between format creators in Asia and buyers in North America and Europe, working on IP such as Dragons’ Den, Silent Library, I Survived a Japanese Game Show and Better Late Than Never (aka Grandpas Over Flowers).

Japan’s major broadcasters have been expanding their efforts to expand globally over the past couple of years, with particular focus in the North American and international format markets.

Nippon TV has opened a US division, hired an ITV Entertaiment exec and most recently struck a deal with Netflix, while Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) appointed hired former Youngest Media and MTV Entertainment exec Elwin de Groot earlier this year to expand its Stateside presence.

Tatsuhiko Inoue, president of public broadcaster NHK, is also looking to strengthen global relationships and told Broadcast International this summer that the strategy is part of its plan to shore up its long-term financing plans.

Tomoaki Hashizume, head of global distribution & business development at Fuji, said: “The global demand for innovative, high-concept unscripted and scripted formats has never been higher.

“As our peers in Japan continue to expand their presence in the U.S. and global markets, we are thrilled to partner with Tim Crescenti. Tim’s deep industry relationships, creative instinct, and unmatched expertise in cross-border format adaptations make him the ideal partner to amplify Fuji TV’s diverse catalog on the global stage.”

Crescenti added: “Japan - the country, the culture, and our deep relationships with our Japanese colleagues - has been the very heart of our business for 20 years.

“Fuji TV has consistently generated brilliant, game-changing concepts, from timeless global hits to next-generation ideas. This partnership captures everything I love about working with Japan. We look forward to bringing Fuji TV’s rich library to international buyers and collaborating on brand-new formats designed specifically for global appeal.”