# TV format
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{{Short description|Overall concept and branding of a copyrighted television show}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2025}}
A '''TV format''' is the overall concept and branding of a copyrighted [television show](/source/television_show). The most common type of formats are those in the [television genre](/source/television_genre)s of [game show](/source/game_show)s and [reality show](/source/reality_show)s, though other genres (e.g., [sitcom](/source/sitcom)s) are also adapted. TV formats may be viewed as a form of [intellectual property](/source/intellectual_property) (IP), and are regularly bought and sold, though TV formats are not generally protected under [copyright](/source/copyright) law.
== Description ==
A TV format is the overall concept and branding of a copyrighted [television show](/source/television_show).{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} A format is licensed by [TV network](/source/TV_network)s, so that they may produce a version of the show tailored to their nationality and audience. Formats are a major part of the international [television market](/source/television_market). Format purchasing is popular with [broadcasters](/source/Television_broadcaster), due principally to the lower risk associated with an already-proven idea and the preference of audiences to watch programming tailored to their [locality](/source/Locality_(settlement)).
=== Examples ===
The most common type of formats are those in the [television genre](/source/television_genre)s of [game show](/source/game_show)s and [reality show](/source/reality_show)s, many of which are remade in multiple [markets](/source/Television_market) with local contestants.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Examples include ''[Survivor](/source/Survivor_(franchise))'', ''[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?](/source/Who_Wants_to_Be_a_Millionaire%3F)'', ''[Pop Idol](/source/Pop_Idol)'' and ''[Big Brother](/source/Big_Brother_(franchise))'' that have all proven successful worldwide. Such types of formats are also known as [franchises](/source/media_franchise), since rights to the format are usually handled with licenses.
Particular models in the genre of [sitcom](/source/sitcom)s are often sold as formats, enabling broadcasters to adapt them to the perceived tastes of their own audience. An example is ''[The Office](/source/The_Office_(British_TV_series))'', a [BBC](/source/BBC) sitcom which got adapted as [''The Office''](/source/The_Office_(American_TV_series)) in the United States, {{ill|lt=''Kontoret''|Kontoret|sv|Kontoret|vertical-align=sup}} in Sweden, ''[HaMisrad](/source/HaMisrad)'' in Israel'','' ''[Le Bureau](/source/Le_Bureau)'' in France, ''[The Office](/source/The_Office_(Indian_TV_series))'' in India'', [Stromberg](/source/Stromberg_(TV_series))'' in Germany, ''[La Job](/source/La_Job)'' in Quebec, Canada and ''[La Ofis](/source/La_Ofis_(Chilean_TV_series))'' in Chile.
== Companies ==
Leading companies that handle the creation and sales of programming formats include [Warner Bros. International Television Production](/source/Warner_Bros._International_Television_Production), [ITV Studios](/source/ITV_Studios), [Talpa](/source/Talpa_Network), [Endemol Shine](/source/Endemol_Shine_Group) and [Fremantle](/source/Fremantle_(company)).
== Legal issues ==
TV formats are viewed{{by whom|date=January 2016}} as a form of [intellectual property](/source/intellectual_property) (IP), and are regularly bought and sold by [TV producer](/source/TV_producer)s, [distribution company](/source/distribution_company) and broadcasters. For example, ''[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?](/source/Who_Wants_to_Be_a_Millionaire%3F)'' has been recreated in 108 territories, while local versions of ''Idol'' have aired (over 129 series) in 42 territories receiving about three [billion](/source/1000000000_(number)) votes, most notable being ''[American Idol](/source/American_Idol)''.
However, TV formats are not generally protected under [copyright](/source/copyright) law.[[http://tvformats.bournemouth.ac.uk/protection.html Legal Protection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712111613/http://tvformats.bournemouth.ac.uk/protection.html |date=2010-07-12 }}, Bournemouth University.][[https://web.archive.org/web/20100328095250/http://www.sheridans.co.uk/people/peter-mcinerney.asp McInerney, Peter] and Rose, David. ''Television formats and copyright protection'' in ''[The Times](/source/The_Times)'', 2 March 1999, p.41 (Law page).] As a result, copycat formats are sometimes created, which seek to duplicate the success of an original format without paying the person who came up with it. Format developers seek to prevent this by various means, including the use of trademarks or withholding distribution of other shows.