Format

There is a ‘classic’ trend that has been somewhat overlooked lately: Educational Games. These titles blend entertainment with informative elements. When executed well, the ‘learning’ aspect doesn’t weigh the format down; instead, it enriches it, making it a perfect fit for public broadcasters and beyond.
Unfortunately, the term ‘educational’ can sound a bit ‘dusty’ or dated, and it might seem like the opposite of the Funny Games trend mentioned earlier. This is a mistake. High-quality Educational Games are anything but boring—in fact, they are often quite the opposite.
A perfect example of this is History Hunters, a game show created by Heartland TV and distributed by Primitives. Following a strong debut on DR1 in November 2025, it has already been recommissioned for a second season by the Danish public broadcaster, DR.
History Hunters turns a nation’s history into a thrilling competition. Two celebrity teams race through iconic historic locations, solving puzzles and uncovering surprising stories from their country’s past, all leading to a final showdown. Essentially, it is a grand historical treasure hunt set across a nation’s most significant monuments and buildings.
Through three exciting rounds and a grand finale, contestants discover fascinating facts and quirky details about their shared heritage. With teamwork and quick thinking at its core, only one team can triumph. The format has already been optioned in six territories, including Germany and Spain, and was recently recognized at the Danish TV Awards (TV Prisen) with two nominations.
Ultimately, educational games—despite the name—are fun and full of potential. I look forward to including this growing trend in my next report. So, to all broadcasters: it’s time to put them on air again! They are well worth the investment…

To read about the Funny Games and a more recent trend in the media landscape, go to espresso 

SUBSCRIBE to the world’s most followed independent FREE NEWSLETTER to receive weekly updates on FORMATS, MARKETS & TRENDS