Fuji TV has partnered with international television format expert Tim Crescenti and his company Small World International Format Television (Small World IFT) to strengthen the global distribution of its television formats and develop new intellectual property for international audiences.
Under the new agreement, Crescenti will act as a non-exclusive international representative for Fuji TV’s format catalogue outside Japan. He will also advise the Japanese broadcaster on the development of original IP with potential for international expansion.
What Does the Fuji TV and Tim Crescenti Partnership Cover?
The partnership comes as Japanese broadcasters continue to increase their presence in international television markets, particularly in North America. Fuji TV aims to build on its existing catalogue of Japanese unscripted and scripted formats by working with Crescenti, who has extensive experience in taking television concepts from Japan to international markets.
Crescenti has been involved in the international distribution and development of several successful formats, including Dragons’ Den, Silent Library, I Survived a Japanese Game Show and Better Late Than Never, also known as Grandpas Over Flowers.
Which Fuji TV Formats Are Known Internationally?
Fuji TV has a long history of creating formats that have been adapted and distributed around the world. Among its best-known titles are Iron Chef and Hole in the Wall, with the latter distributed internationally by Fremantle.
The partnership with Small World IFT is expected to give Fuji TV’s existing format library a broader route into international markets while also supporting the broadcaster’s efforts to develop new IP with global potential.
Why Is the Partnership Significant for Japanese Television?
Fuji TV’s move reflects the growing international ambitions of Japan’s major broadcasters. With Japanese television companies increasingly investing in overseas operations, partnerships with experienced international executives and format specialists are becoming an important part of their global strategies.
For Fuji TV, Crescenti’s international experience offers a route to further position Japanese-originated formats in the worldwide television market while exploring new opportunities for original IP beyond Japan.
Tomoaki Hashizume, Head of Global Distribution & Business Development at Fuji Television Network, Inc., commented:
“The global demand for innovative, high-concept unscripted and scripted formats has never been higher. As our peers in Japan continue to expand their presence in the U.S. and global markets, we are thrilled to partner with Tim Crescenti. Tim’s deep industry relationships, creative instinct, and unmatched expertise in cross-border format adaptations make him the ideal partner to amplify Fuji TV’s diverse catalog on the global stage.”
Tim Crescenti, Small World IFTadded:
“Japan—the country, the culture, and our deep relationships with our Japanese colleagues—has been the very heart of our business for twenty years. Fuji TV has consistently generated brilliant, game-changing concepts, from timeless global hits to next-generation ideas. This partnership captures everything I love about working with Japan. We look forward to bringing Fuji TV’s rich library to international buyers and collaborating on brand-new formats designed specifically for global appeal.”
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