As part of NATPE Budapest 2025, the panel “Cracking the Code Behind Talpa Studios Global Hits” offered an exclusive look at the model behind the success of Talpa Studios, the company founded by the legendary John de Mol, creator of landmarks such as Big Brother and The Voice. The talk was moderated by Chiara Duranti (FormatBiz) and starred Sebastian van Barneveld, the studio’s director of global distribution.
Talpa has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading format exporters, with a formula that combines innovation, efficiency and collaboration. ‘From the beginning we designed our shows with an American quality standard, but at an affordable cost. That’s why we created international production hubs, like the ones we use for The Floor or The Quiz Ball’ explained Van Barneveld.
Hubs allow several countries to share sets and resources, reducing costs and risks. A clear example is The Floor, which already has versions in France, the US and Australia, produced from the same central set. ‘Our team has already built 14 versions of The Floor set, which allows us to deliver maximum quality with optimized logistics,’ he said.
In addition, Talpa promotes an open innovation model: 40% of its current catalogue comes from external ideas. ‘We have a very open network, with doors and windows available for independent creators to send us proposals. If we see potential, we apply our formula to turn those ideas into successes’ said Van Barneveld.
With around 15 new titles a year, Talpa prioritizes formats that first prove their effectiveness locally. ‘If it works in the Netherlands, it tends to travel fast. Germany, for example, is an excellent thermometer because of its demand. In addition, new hubs like the one in Argentina facilitate expansion in key regions like Latin America’.
Sebastian concluded by confirming that Talpa is preparing a new format that will be presented at MIPCOM 2025. ‘We have never had such a strong line-up. In complex times, we continue to bet on what is different, on that unique spark that distinguishes our shows. That’s our DNA.’
