NPO Max to Localize Model Railway Competition Series
TV Real Daily (Worldscreen), Kristin Brzoznowski • 5th November 2020
NPO Max in the Netherlands has optioned the format for a local version of The Great Model Railway Challenge.
The format sees teams of gifted railway modelers compete against each other to build miniature wonderlands in accordance with weekly themes. Loaded with animations and landscapes, each round is grueling and intense, but often humorous.
The series title will be localized as The Big Small Trains Competition and is slated to begin broadcasting on Omroep Max in fall 2021.
Silverlining Rights brokered the format deal to Concept Street, an MGM affiliated production company, on behalf of Knickerbockerglory. The 14×1-hour ready-made program was acquired by SVT Sweden last year while selected episodes can be viewed on airlines globally following the sale of inflight entertainment rights to EVA Air and Encore Entertainment.
“We’re thrilled to see this format finding a new home,” said Silverlining’s global content sales executive, Samantha Sintes. “As a concept, it really is truly unique and with two seasons having broadcast on Channel 5 it was only a matter of time before it got picked up beyond our borders.”
“Model trains have been extremely popular for generations,” added Jan Slagter of Omroep MAX. “People—young, old, man and woman—are taking up model train building as a hobby and with this program, we can show the Netherlands what our local model railway experts can make!”
