Japanese Game Show ‘Save Money’ Snapped Up by NBCUniversal Formats (EXCLUSIVE)

Japanese game show “Save Money” has been acquired by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The company snapped up the worldwide format distribution rights outside of Japan. The show was developed and produced by Chukyo TV.

The game sees contestants given a large cash prize which has the potential to be slowly depleted as they answer questions about the price of items from other countries. The difference between the actual value and the contestant’s answer is deducted from their winnings, meaning the closer they get to the end of the game the more money they’re seeking to protect.

“‘Save Money’ has a brilliantly simple premise that makes it instantly engaging and easy to play along with,” said Linfield Ng, NBCUniversal Formats sales VP. “Chukyo TV has created a fun, high-stakes game with a universal hook that we believe will translate brilliantly for audiences around the world. It’s another exciting addition to our growing slate of formats from Asia, a region that continues to be an important focus for us as we bring fresh, distinctive ideas to the international market.”

The show has aired more than 20 episodes across the Nippon Television Network in Japan, with Season 1 averaging two million viewers per episode. The show has ranked no. 1 in its timeslot on Japanese terrestrial TV.

Japanese formats have surged in popularity in recent years, with shows such as “L.O.L. Last One Laughing” (based on the Japanese format “Documental”) capturing audiences across the world.

NBCUniversal Formats in particular has been expanding its slate of Asian formats for international, with “Save Money” being its third acquisition from the region this year. They previously acquired “Unboxing the Flavours” (from DI Turn Co. Ltd and Phileas Productions S.L.) and “Action Arena,” another Japanese game show from TBS.