News

8 October 2009

ENDEMOL SECURES FIRST TIME DEALS FOR 'THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES'

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming today announced significant new deals for its hit format The Best Years of Our Lives.

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming today announced significant new deals for its hit format The Best Years of Our Lives.

The series, which combines history and entertainment by pitting two decades against each other, has secured a first commission in Russia whilst continuing its roll out across Western Europe with a first series commissioned in France.

In Russia, Endemol and leading public broadcaster Rossiya Network have partnered to co- produce a prime time run of The Best Years of Our Lives. The series will reflect the most important historical and cultural decades in Russian history.

Marina Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Central and Eastern European Operations at Endemol comments: "We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Rossyia Channel on a major prime time co-production like this. The Best Years of Our Lives is a show that combines history and culture with a hugely entertaining format and I have no doubt that Russian viewers will love it."

In Western Europe the format's popularity continues to grow with leading French broadcaster TFI also commissioning a prime time series.

The Best Years of Our Lives is already a proven ratings winner in Spain for TVE1 and Italy on Rai Uno, where in both countries it regularly beat its competitors in prime time slots. Last year the series won the Best Programme of 2008 award at Premio Regia Televisiva - Italy's version of the TV Oscars.

Paul Römer, Chief Creative Officer of Endemol Group says: "The Best Years of Our Lives is a format that is now beginning to demonstrate its global potential. It's already established as a top rating prime time show in Italy and Spain and it's great to see major territories like France and Russia come on board for the first time."

The Best Years of Our Lives sees two teams take part in a series of challenges, which compare the decades by looking back at iconic films and music, historic headlines and unforgettable fads. An audience of skeptical teenagers decides which decade was really was ‘The Best Years of Our Lives'.