Inside the World of Entertainment Formats

CBS has retired the Late Show format but, can they sell the format - and does it have value?

“Structure is everything. That’s all television is, nothing but structure."

— Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing

Structure, Protection & Global Trade

In today’s global media economy, entertainment formats are more than creative blueprints—they’re commercial assets that power international franchises, drive licensing deals, and shape what we watch on every platform from broadcast TV to TikTok.

What Are Entertainment Formats?

An entertainment format is a replicable recipe for a media production—its structure, tone, flow, and rules. Formats allow shows to be sold, licensed, and adapted across languages, cultures, and technologies.

Common types of formats:

• Entertainment Formats: Game shows, talk shows, reality competitions

• TV Formats: Exportable titles like The Voice, Survivor, The Office

• Show Formats: Genre templates (e.g., "half-hour sitcom" or "late-night talk show")

• Franchises: Global hits with local spin-offs (Got Talent, Millionaire)

• Scripted vs. Unscripted: Dramas/sitcoms vs. reality/talent/game shows

• Format Bibles: Step-by-step guides to reproducing the format

Industry phrases include:

• “We’ve licensed the format in three territories.”

• “It’s a proven unscripted format.”

• “They’re shopping the interview format internationally.”

Can CBS Sell The Late Show Format?

CBS/Paramount Global owns the core format of The Late Show, even though Colbert’s company (e.g., Spartina) may own some segments.

Is it marketable? Sort of.

Challenges:

• Traditional talk shows are in decline globally

• Modern media prefers short-form, social-first, and interactive content

• Colbert’s charisma may not transfer without him

Potential: Elements like interview flow, segment structures, and production tone could be repackaged for streaming or social platforms. Spartina and Colbert may look to the way they exited The Colbert Report as guidance.

Are Interview Formats Still Relevant?

Yes—but they’ve left traditional TV behind.

Today’s interview formats thrive on:

• Podcasts (SmartLess, Armchair Expert)

• YouTube shows (Hot Ones)

• TikTok & Instagram Live

• Interactive/AI-driven interviews

Audiences now crave intimacy, authenticity, and engagement—not rigidly scripted monologues.

How Are Formats Protected in Australia?

Formats, like in the U.S., are not directly protected by copyright because Australian copyright law protects the expression of an idea, not the idea or structure itself. However, they can still receive legal protection through:

• Trade mark Law: Protecting show titles, logos, and distinctive branding elements.

• Contract Law: Using NDAs, production agreements, and licensing contracts to prevent unauthorised use.

• Confidential Information / Trade Secrets: Protecting format bibles and other proprietary production documents as confidential material.

• Passing Off and Australian Consumer Law (ACL): Claims of misleading or deceptive conduct or false association if another party attempts to copy a well-known format.

The best protection? Strategic use of airtight contracts, trade mark registration, and keeping the format’s unique elements confidential and secret.

How Are Formats Protected in the U.S.?

Formats are not directly protected by copyright because copyright law safeguards expression—not ideas. But they’re still legally protected:

• Trade mark Law: Show titles, logos, slogans

• Contract Law: NDAs, employment and licensing agreements

• Unfair Competition / Misappropriation (rare, but possible in court)

• Format Bibles: Confidential documents detailing the full format

The real defence? Smart contracts + brand identity + trade secrecy.

How Are Formats Licensed Globally?

Formats are traded like intellectual property and licensed internationally.

A typical format licence includes:

• Territory: Where the show may air

• Term: Duration of rights

• Format Bible: The "how-to" manual

• Exclusivity: Whether others can use it in the same market

• Fees: Flat + royalty-based payments

• Adaptation Rights: To localise tone, language, and visuals

Markets for trading: MIPCOM (France), NATPE (U.S.), and more.

Case Study #1: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

A shining example of format licensing done right.

Origin:

• Created in the UK (ITV, 1998) by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, Steven Knight

• Now owned by Sony Pictures Television

Key Format Features:

• Suspenseful quiz structure

• Iconic lifelines ("Phone a Friend")

• Dramatic music, lighting, and studio design

• Million-dollar prize structure

IP Protection Strategy:

• Trade marks for logo/title

• Copyright protection for iconic between segments music

• Format bible for production consistency

• FRAPA registration - the Format Recognition and Protection Association https://frapa.org › format-registration

• Robust contracts for licensees

Global Impact:

• Adapted in over 100 countries

• Hosted by local celebrities

• Flexible yet consistent structure

• Generated hundreds of millions globally

Format Seller Lessons:

Lesson	Explanation
Structure matters	Clear formats are easier to licence
Legal layering	Trade marks, NDAs, and bibles = format security
Localisation wins	Tailor content to culture and language
Support is vital	Provide tools, training, and brand assets

Case Study #2: The West Wing

While not a globally franchised format, The West Wing showcases the hallmarks of a replicable scripted drama format.

Format Characteristics:

1. Narrative Structure

   1. Multi-threaded plots (policy + personal arcs)

   2. Real-time tension and daily urgency

      
      

2. Dialogue & Visual Style

   1. “Sorkin-speak” – rhythmic, intelligent dialogue

   2. “Walk and Talk” – characters deliver exposition while in motion

      
      

3. Character Archetypes

   1. President as a moral anchor

   2. Advisors with distinct specialisations

   3. Interplay with media, public, and family

      
      

4. Tone & Themes

   1. Idealism grounded in realism

   2. Policy, ethics, and civic responsibility

   3. Rich with historical and philosophical references

      
      

5. Recurring Devices

   1. Cold opens and swelling music finales

   2. Flashbacks to deepen stakes

Replicability:

Although not formally franchised, The West Wing inspired a wave of global political dramas—Borgen, Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor—each adapted the structural DNA of Sorkin’s format.

In industry terms: The West Wing is a scripted format with strong stylistic trade marks—ideal for adaptation or homage.

Final Thoughts

Entertainment formats are not just show ideas—they’re monetisable creative IP. From reality competitions to political dramas, the secret to success is in:

• Structure

• Legal Protection

• Strategic Licensing

• Cultural Adaptation

As global audiences fragment and platforms evolve, the future of formats lies in agility and reinvention.