Lost – or found – in television translation

With a number of local TV formats recently being snapped up by overseas broadcasters, John Richards looks at what works in foreign territories. 

America is a land of immigrants, and the TV network upfronts are the electronic form of Ellis Island, where successful formats from abroad line up, papers in hand, ready to become US citizens.

The UK is a common visitor – everything from The Office to Dad’s Army has attempted the trip. The acclaimed programs Homeland and In Treatment were originally conceived in Israel. And Australia is now a regular source of ideas with Wilfred, The Slap, Rake and The Strange Calls all to be remade with accents considered more palatable for the American audience.