Format

Primitives, the Belgium-headquartered specialist TV formats distributor, has announced the first format deal for sustainable home-renovation show The Salvage Squad. VIASAT3 — part of Antenna Entertainment’s Hungarian portfolio — has commissioned a local adaptation of Amino TV’s primetime series for Virgin One Ireland, which was recently commissioned for a second season. The deal was brokered by Emma Gosling, Primitives’ London-based sales and acquisitions manager.

A hit for Virgin One Ireland, The Salvage Squad sets out to prove that you can achieve a big-budget home make-over without it costing the earth — either financially or environmentally. In every episode, two households are given three days and €1,000 to transform their tired old interiors, furniture and fittings into visual showstoppers, each guided by a team of fashion-forward designers, up-cycling wizards and imaginative tradespeople. The twist is that the ‘salvage squad’ can’t buy anything new: they must use only second-hand, free-cycled, rescued, up-cycled, homemade or pre-used materials to create their dream rooms.

The 8 x 60 mins Hungarian remake — to be called REnoválók – Lakás újrahasznosítva — is produced by Show&Game and will premiere on VIASAT3 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Éva Kis-Bocz, channel director CEE for VIASAT3 operator Antenna Entertainment, said: “We were looking for a factual entertainment format with a twist in the home improvement genre — something that goes beyond a usual makeover show. The Salvage Squad immediately stood out. One of Antenna Entertainment’s long-term goals is to integrate sustainability into both its operations and its content production, and this format aligns perfectly with that mission. We believe television has a vital role in public education and I’m especially pleased that VIASAT3 is bringing a show to audiences that is not only visually engaging and entertaining, but also socially valuable — encouraging viewers to think and live more sustainably.”

Emma Gosling said: “We are so pleased that this entertaining and timely format is finding its way to Hungarian audiences. As you’d expect in a home make-over show, there are stunning renovations aplenty, but it additionally addresses the growing environmental impact of 'fast furniture', which is clogging up landfill sites, showing us that upcycling, restoring and renovating what we already own is not only good for our planet and our pockets, but intensely satisfying.”

The first season of Virgin One Ireland’s original series, which rolled out in October 2023 in a Sunday-evening slot, was both a commercial and critical success. Hosted by Brian Dowling (Big Brother; Hell’s Kitchen), the show achieved the number-one ranking in the coveted 25-44 demographic, garnering an 18% share. It also topped the ratings in the younger female 15-24 and 25-44 demosgraphics. The second season, which is now filming, is slated to air in the first quarter of 2026.