German broadcaster ZDF is to make a local version of Channel 4’s The Dog House.
Originally created by Five Miles Films for Channel 4 in the UK, where a second series recently launched. The format deal has been signed by All3Media International, with a five-episode series expected to make its debut in June this year on ZDF.
Filming will start in May and the series will be produced by Tower Productions, an All3Media group company.
This latest format deal adds to the recently announced Network 10 adaptation, which launches in Australia later this year. All3Media International also continues to sign new acquisitions for the finished Channel 4 series, as Canal Cosmopolitan in Spain secures seasons one and two. The show has already sold to VRT Belgium, SVT Sweden, TV2 Denmark, TVNZ New Zealand, CBC Canada and HBO Max in the US.
Dietlinde Stroh, Managing Director at Tower Productions said: “It was love at first sight when we were introduced to The Dog House by our colleagues at All3Media International. This heart-warming show captures the beautiful relationship between humans and their four legged friends and I am very happy that we get to bring this wonderful format to German audiences with ZDF.”
Thorsten Haas, Head of Development Entertainment at ZDF, added: “We are delighted to present this heartwarming new format. The Dog House tells emotional and entertaining stories of how hopeful owners and homeless dogs are matched together, and the uplifting entertainment the show provides makes it a great fit and a wonderful addition to our Sunday afternoon factual slot.”
Five Mile Films’ The Dog House returned to Channel 4 in March with a new nine-episode series based at Wood Green rehoming centre in the UK. With the demand for dogs in the UK rising sharply by 650% over the last year, the team are matchmaking more abandoned dogs with hopeful new owners. The premiere episode doubled the audience of its lead-in with 1.6 million viewers and a 7.4% share, beating the first season opener and rating well with teens and young adults.
Jonathan Hughes , EMEA Sales Manager at All3Media International, added, “The Dog House is proving to be just what viewers need right now – feel-good television full of emotional and uplifting real-life stories centred around the unique environment of a dog rescue centre. As Five Mile Films’ second series builds even further on its success in the UK, I’m delighted to confirm that our friends at ZDF will be opening the doors to their very own The Dog House later this year.”
At The Dog House, abandoned dogs get the chance to find a new home with a ‘forever family’. The format gives a fascinating insight into the work of a rehoming team whose ultimate goal is to find each dog a new human to love – but making the right match takes experience and a bit of luck. Using fixed rig cameras, it follows the emotional journey of each dog, from the moment they arrive at the shelter, through to their first date with a nervous family in a special meeting pen and, all being well, into their new homes.
Tower Productions GmbH, based in Cologne and Berlin, is part of the All3Media group. Tower Productions has exclusive access to the international format catalogue of All3Media International.
Jon Creamer
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