Fremantle has signed an exclusive deal with Singapore broadcaster Mediacorp to license “Wingman,” a dating show in which singles hand their romantic decisions over to their closest friends.
Fremantle is presenting the format to buyers at Mipcom.
Fremantle will handle sales, licensing and production of the show across most overseas territories on behalf of Mediacorp and Beach House Pictures (BHP), which own the format. Mediacorp keeps control of the format at home in Singapore and in certain Asian markets.
“‘Wingman’s’ journey from a local industry pitch to international representation shows what is possible when strong homegrown ideas are backed by the right creative and global partnerships,” said Angeline Poh, chief customer and corporate development officer at Mediacorp. “Through such partnerships, we create meaningful pathways for Singapore creativity to reach new markets and audiences.”
The show started out as a submission to Mediacorp’s Creatives Assembly Unscripted Formats Pitch in 2023. Mediacorp then worked up the idea with BHP and commissioned a first season, which BHP produced. That season is streaming on Mediacorp’s mewatch platform and on the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel.
Mediacorp, which originated and commissioned the show, is the majority owner of the format. BHP, itself a Fremantle company, is co-owner. Fremantle will now shop “Wingman” through its worldwide formats business, with an eye on licensed remakes produced in new territories.
BHP managing director Jocelyn Little said the premise asks a simple question: what happens when the friends who know you best take charge of your love life? “The result is a fresh, warm and highly entertaining twist on dating, with friendship driving the search for love,” she said. “We’re proud to have developed ‘Wingman’ with Mediacorp and excited to see this original Singaporean idea reach audiences around the world through Fremantle’s global network.”
For Mediacorp, the deal is part of a wider effort to build original Singapore IP that can be sold abroad, moving ideas from local development through to international sales. The company is also looking to work more closely with local producers on formats that can find viewers outside the home market.
Ben Crompton, head of global entertainment at Fremantle, said: “‘Wingman’ is one of the new titles we’re taking to international buyers at MIPCOM as part of a slate reflecting the broad spectrum of modern dating. What makes ‘Wingman’ special is the authentic friendship-led casting and the resulting twists that come from having that dynamic control the dates. It’s launched well for Mediacorp – their most-viewed dating format of the year – and we think it has real international potential.”
BHP’s entertainment work also includes long-running franchises “MasterChef Singapore” and “Bake Off Japan.”