At the panel discussion “Content Strategies: How to Get Your Show on: RTP, TG4 and Sanoma Media Finland”, three leading European figures in the content industry agreed that the search for formats is no longer driven solely by originality, but by how well they can be adapted to each market, their budgetary viability and their long-term potential.
Nuno Vaz, Head of Entertainment at RTP, was emphatic when discussing the role of risk in public service broadcasting. “Risk is part of our identity. If we don’t take it, we lose our connection with the community,” he noted, whilst questioning the glut of proposals that are poorly aligned with the channel’s essence. For the Portuguese executive, the challenge is clear: to understand one’s own values before deciding what goes on screen.
From Ireland, Laura Ní Cheallaigh, director of content at TG4, focused on scale and cultural identity. As a broadcaster in a minority language, she explained that they do not seek to compete with major global formats, but rather with adapted versions that reflect their audience. “We need distinctive content that we can shape to fit our reality,” she stated.
For his part, Lasse Nikkari from Sanoma Media Finland highlighted the shift towards an ecosystem in which streaming plays a central role. With over 50% of revenue coming from their digital platform, he emphasised that content must be designed with performance in mind across both broadcast and streaming, prioritising proven IPs and integrated strategies.
Siobhan Crawford’s moderation framed a discussion in which it became clear that the future of European formats depends less on the perfect formula and more on their ability to adapt.
