Fremantle Secures Worldwide Rights to Singapore's 'Wingman' Dating Format in Mediacorp Deal

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 showcases in most international territories on Mediacorp's behalf.

Fremantle has signed an exclusive deal with Singaporean broadcaster Mediacorp to license 'Wingman', a dating app where singles share their romantic decisions with their closest friends.

Fremantle is presenting the format to buyers at Mipcom.

Fremantle will sell, license and produce the show in most overseas territories on behalf of Mediacorp and Beach House Pictures (BHP), who own the format. Mediacorp retains control of the format at home in Singapore and in some Asian markets. RELATED STORIES JW Anderson and Ugg Team Up for Loafer-Inspired Boots and Slippers with New Dev Hynes Fronting Campaign

"Wingman's journey from a local industry to international agency shows what's possible when strong in-house ideas are supported by the right creative and global partnerships," said Angeline Poe, chief client officer and director of corporate development at Mediacorp. Through such partnerships, we create meaningful pathways for Singaporean creativity to reach new markets and audiences.” Popular in Variety

It began as a submission to the Creatives Assembly's Unscripted Formats Pitch in 2023. Mediacorp then worked on the idea with BHP and commissioned the first season, which BHP produced. That season will air on Mediacorp's mewatch platform and on Mediacorp's Entertainment YouTube channel.

Mediacorp, which originated and commissioned the show, owns the majority of the format. BHP, itself a Fremantle company, is a joint owner. Fremantle will now purchase the 'Wingman' through its global formats and look at licensed remakes produced in new territories.

BHP CEO Jocelyn Little said the premise begs 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 very entertaining twist on dating where friendship leads to the search for love," he said. "We are proud to have developed 'Wingman' with Mediacorp and are excited to bring this original Singaporean idea to audiences around the world through Fremantle's global network."

For Mediacorp, the deal is part of a broader effort to build original Singaporean IP that can be sold overseas, moving ideas from local development to international sales. The company is also looking to work more closely with local producers on formats that can find audiences outside of the domestic market.

Ben Crompton, head of global entertainment at Fremantle, said: "Wingman is one of the new titles we are selecting for international buyers at MIPCOM as part of a lineup that reflects a wide range of modern dating. What makes "Wingman" special is the authentic acting based on friendship and the changes and developments that come from it, which it handles well from the media. The most watched dating format of the year - and we think it's the real international potential."

BHP's entertainment work also includes the long-running franchises 'MasterChef Singapore' and 'Bake Off Japan'.