Format

Talpa Studios and Signal.Stream have secured their third format commission with Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group, as streaming platform Joyn prepares to launch a local adaptation of The Drop on November 25. Titled In the Dark – Wer übersteht die Nacht?, the eight-part series follows the group’s previous commissions of Most Wanted and Catch Us. The latest deal further strengthens the partnership between ProSiebenSat.1, Talpa Studios, founded by John de Mol, and its creative partner Signal.Stream, highlighting the growing appeal of creator-driven entertainment formats across streaming and linear television.

In The Drop, six celebrities are taken out of their comfort zones as they spend several nights in locations believed to be haunted. Equipped with cameras and devices designed to detect paranormal activity, they must complete a series of challenges while confronting their deepest fears. From abandoned sanatoriums and former prisons to centuries-old castles, the contestants face unexplained noises, mysterious apparitions and the unsettling experience of being left alone in the dark. Produced by Studio Flitz, the German adaptation will consist of eight weekly episodes.
The commission follows two seasons of Most Wanted on Joyn, while Catch Us – Die Jagd durch Europa premiered on ProSieben and Joyn on November 10. Although each format brings a different concept to the screen, all three share the ambition of reimagining traditional entertainment for a new generation of viewers.

“With In the Dark – Wer übersteht die Nacht?, we’re adding a new dimension to our successful reality portfolio – let’s call it ‘scaretainment’: reality TV with guaranteed thrills for the dark season. Following Most Wanted and Catch Us, this is our third collaboration with our valued colleagues at Talpa in the Netherlands,” said Marc Rasmus, responsible for ProSiebenSat.1’s reality programming.
Wouter van der Pauw, founder of Signal.Stream, added: “Three different formats, all with one thing in common: they started on YouTube. At Signal.Stream, we develop, test and improve our ideas with real audiences before bringing them to broadcasters and streamers. Together with Talpa Studios, we're incredibly proud that ProSiebenSat.1 sees the potential of this approach and has now commissioned a third format. It shows how ideas born on YouTube can grow into successful international entertainment formats. And we're only getting started.”