Leading independent distributor All3Media International has entered into a landmark partnership with TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc) in Japan, as the two format powerhouses agree to collaborate for the first time to co-develop new entertainment formats for the international market.

The first fruit of this initiative sees All3Media group company North One Productions (Fifth Gear, Gadget Show, Travel Man: 48 Hours In…) join the collaboration to develop Lovers or Liars?, a new studio entertainment format. In each episode of Lovers or Liars?, a celebrity panel must try to identify the real (married) couple from amongst other couples that have actually only met for the first time that day.

The pilot series of Lovers or Liars? premieres in Japan on TBS on 23rd March and the show will be launched and presented at a Showcase at the upcoming MIPFORMATS, MIPTV which will feature an exclusive trailer for attending buyers.

The wider collaboration brings together two of the global market’s most successful format creators/distributors. All3Media International represents a multi-genre portfolio of formats from leading creators in the All3Media group, managing adaptation rights to hit titles such as The Traitors (IDTV), Gogglebox (Studio Lambert), Race Across the World (Studio Lambert) and Gadget Show (North One), while TBS’s formats portfolio features international bestsellers such as Ninja Warrior, Takeshi’s Castle and America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Initiated by Nick Smith, EVP Formats & Licensing at All3Media International, the collaboration is part of the company’s drive to grow and diversify its formats line-up and to represent more Asian content. All3Media International will distribute all of the co-developed titles, with its APAC office in Singapore leading on sales across Asia (outside of Japan).

Shunsuke Fukaya, Head of Format Development commented, “It has been about two years since we launched the joint development project, and I am delighted that the program has finally taken shape. Two companies with totally different TV cultures have collaborated without compromising on the content until we reach a consensus of "This sounds fun!" I am excited to deliver this new sensation studio program that combines elements of Japan and the UK to the world. Can the global audience spot true love?”

Nick Smith, EVP Formats commented, “I’m delighted to debut Lovers or Liars?, which I hope will be the first of many collaborations through this exciting new partnership with TBS. People watching, or trying to figure out the relationships of strangers based on their body language and conversation is truly a universal activity and Lovers or Liars? brings this obsession in to the TV studio. I can’t wait for the global format community – and viewers at home – to be able to take part in trying to separate the lovers from the liars.”