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FreemantleMedia rolls out classic TV gameshows on mobile with Player X

30 November 2005

If you never got the chance to ask Bob Holness live on TV for a "P", fret not, for you will soon be able to play classic TV gameshow Blockbusters on your mobile.

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide ( FLW ), the licensing division of TV leviathan FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world has teamed up with mobile content specialist, Player X to license a raft of FremantleMedias classic TV game shows to roll out on mobile around the world.

FLW has licensed Player X the worldwide rights ( excluding the US ) to create and produce original mobile phone games based on some of the worlds most beloved game shows, including The Price Is Right, Family Feud, Blockbusters, Sale Of The Century and Strike It Lucky. Under the terms of the agreement, Player X has also been granted rights to develop and create branded real tones, wallpapers and active screensavers.

The games, created by developer Qbranch Wireless, are available from December 2005 and replicate the format of the shows by allowing contestants to play along to the original game show rules.

Player Xs exclusive distribution deals with more than 70 global operators means the games have a potential audience of more than 400 million people.

To date most UK operators have placed the first game just released, The Price Is Right, on their decks and operators in other global territories are expected to be announced shortly. All games will be live by 30 June 2006.

The FremantleMedia library boasts some of the worlds top game shows and they are some of the most iconic brands on the market today, says Melissa Goodwin, Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide. The partnership with Player X will help expand this brand presence to masses of fans familiar with the shows as well as a much broader base of consumers who are simply looking for a fun and interactive game to play on their mobile phones.

Tony Pearce, CEO, Player X adds: We believe this format is absolutely perfect for mobile gameplay and the current popularity of classic game shows means there is a big market for this content. These are the biggest TV game show brands around and perfectly targeted towards the mass mobile gamer. Were looking forward to bringing out more FremantleMedia game shows in the months to come.

THOSE GAMES IN FULL
The Price Is Right is the longest running game show in TV history and has aired in 28 territories. The show, which first broadcast in 1972 on CBS, is the number one daytime series of 2004/2005 in the US and a recent special on ITV1 in the UK saw an audience of over 7 million viewers tune in, winning shares of over 50 per cent for young adults. The Price Is Right ranks as the number one show in its time slot in Mexico, France and Germany and is also currently airing in Australia, Indonesia and Portugal.

Family Feud has aired in 38 territories worldwide and was the highest rated syndicated game show from 1978 to 1984. The show ranked number one in its timeslot in the UK, Germany, France and Venezuela and the format is so popular in Indonesia, that they have created three different versions of the show. A recent special of the UK version of the Family Feud format, Family Fortunes, aired at the end of October on ITV1 and attracted 8 million viewers and a 35 per cent share.

Sale Of The Century recently relaunched on the 9 Network in Australia as Temptation and continues to rank first in its time slot gaining audiences of over one million viewers. The format also returned to UK screens in September in celebration of ITVs 50th anniversary and attracted an audience of 8.8 million viewers and a 42 per cent market share. The show ranked number one in its time slot and is currently the highest rated game show in the UK for 2005.

Blockbusters has been broadcast in 12 territories around the world and peaked with over 10 million viewers in the UK in 1984.

Strike It Lucky originally aired from 1986 until 1993 and consistently ranked as the number one show in its time slot. The game show relaunched in 1996 and continues to be a ratings success.