Factual
Nick acquires factual series ‘The Adrenaline Project’ from DHX Media
MUMBAI: Nickelodeon India has acquired the factual series ‘The Adrenaline Project‘ from DHX Media, an independent international producer, distributor and licensor of mainly children‘s entertainment content.
DHX Media has signed deals from its library of kids TV series with broadcasters in Asia.
In Korea, KBS and Kids Talk Talk have acquired Pirates – Adventures in Art with the digital broadcaster also picking up animated eco-centric series dirtgirlworld which has also sold to Mediacorp in Singapore alongside Martha Speaks, Poppetstown, Pirates – Adventures in Art and Watership Down.
In Malaysia, broadcaster Astro has licensed preschool shows dirtgirlworld, Pirates – Adventures in Art, Poko and Monster Math Squad, while in Taiwan, YoYo (Eastern Broadcasting Co.) has bought the new season of Super Why! True Visions in Thailand has taken all seasons of ‘Kid vs Kat‘.
DHX Media territory manager for Asia Craig McGillivray said, “Asia is a significant market for our shows with broadcasters picking up a diverse range of product from our library. One of our key properties for ATF will be Rastamouse, which is performing very well in the UK on CBeebies and the iPlayer and attracting significant interest from licensees with several key categories already signed. We believe it would perform very well in Asia and are keen to speak to prospective broadcast partners.”
DUBLIN: Ireland is betting big on reality television. In a move that has Hollywood scouts scrambling for their passports, Dublin has unveiled Europe’s first tax credit dedicated solely to unscripted programming—think The Traitors rather than Game of Thrones.
The scheme offers producers a juicy 20 per cent rebate on qualifying expenditure, capped at €15 million ($17.5 million) per project. It’s a cultural credit with strings attached: programmes must pass a test proving they genuinely promote Irish and European culture. No word yet on whether Love Island derivatives need apply.
Ireland tánaiste and minister for finance Simon Harris says the incentive will cement Ireland’s reputation as a “centre of excellence” for audiovisual production. His colleague, minister for culture, communications and sport Patrick O’Donovan, insists Ireland has “the talent, creativity and production expertise to lead” in unscripted television. Bold claims for a nation that has spent decades exporting scripted drama.
The timing is canny. Unscripted production costs have soared globally, making Ireland’s existing infrastructure—and now its tax breaks—increasingly attractive. Fox Entertainment Studios already churns out shows like Beat Shazam and The Floor from Irish studios. Whether these American productions will pass the cultural test remains to be seen.
Producers must secure an interim cultural certificate before filming begins, allowing them to claim credits during production rather than waiting until wrap. A final certificate follows completion. The European Commission has blessed the scheme through December 2028.
Minimum thresholds apply: productions must cost at least €250,000, with eligible expenditure above €125,000. Only one season per project can claim relief in any 12-month period, though producers can juggle multiple projects.
Britain, take note. The UK industry has clamoured for similar support for 18 months, but Westminster has dithered. India’s ministry of information and broadcasting pay heed. Its incentive scheme for co-productions excludes unscripted television. To what end, no one knows! Ireland, meanwhile, is already rolling out the red carpet—or should that be green?
The message from Dublin is clear: when it comes to backing reality TV, Ireland isn’t messing about. Lights, camera, tax action.
