Development is expensive, and the flop-risk of new originals, especially in the world of linear television, has become more and more difficult for networks to take. In recent years, more and more networks are starting to look for success-proven IPs internationally and adapt them for local markets. 

Since 2015, we have produced 19 adaptations of international IPs in CME’s markets. We found originals from Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Turkey, Argentina and Finland and turned them into long-running local, very successful program brands. Altogether, we produced 1.400 program hours of soaps and prime time series in the genres of crime, drama and comedy. 

The main challenge in adaptation lies in bringing together the significant elements of the original while at the same time making the right choices and changes to ensure that the remake will feel authentic to the local audience. Police ranks, laws and procedures might be quite different from country to country. The same goes for mentality, sense of humour and dealing with religion and sexuality – all of those issues need to be carefully evaluated in the adaptation process. 

We know how to boil down the essence of a successful format, and how to guide local writers and directors in identifying where original ideas and structures are powerful, and where sensitive cultural modifications make sense. Thanks to our 10-year track record in the adaptation of fiction content, we probably are among the world’s most experienced producers in this arena.