Mediawan Rights and Studiocanal have struck their first ever distribution deal.
The pair are teaming on Canal+‘s sports competition series Hit the Mic! A New Voice For Sports. Mediawan will distribute the series, which rated well in France, has been recommissioned and has been optioned in the U.S., UK and a number of other territories. It is produced by Canal+ and Black Dynamite.
Hit the Mic! is described as the “first format in the world entirely dedicated to the art of sports commentary.” The series sees would-be commentators take each other on in grand competitions and sequences, combining innovation and sporting expertise. Candidates need to have a strong personality and show an ability to make an impact on the audience. Judges include ex-French soccer stars David Ginola and Laure Boulleau, along with Hervé Mathoux, editor-in-chief and host of football on Canal+.
The series is building buzz and will be taken to MIPCOM next week. It has already been optioned in the U.S., UK, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and several African countries.
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The move represents a milestone – the first time Mediawan and Studiocanal have partnered for distribution on a show.
Mediawan Rights MD Valérie Vleeschhouwer said: “We’re extremely excited to be continuing our strategic development around unscripted distribution with programmes of this quality. Hit the Mic! is a creative gem that brings together all football fans and beyond, combining real entertainment with a deep sport culture.”
Anne Chérel, Chief Commercial Officer Studiocanal, added that the move signals “new ambitions for formats and unscripted content” within the French major.