Dutch media giant John de Mol’s Talpa Network is introducing a concept aimed at bringing international formats to the Netherlands.

As part of “The Fastest Way to the Screen” initiative,  de Mol will give format creators the opportunity to launch their ideas straight to series in the Netherlands, and will use his extensive infrastructure and knowledge to help promote the format and get the IP ready for global rollout, including worldwide production and distribution.

“Getting your idea picked up straight to series can take forever nowadays,” said de Mol, in a statement. “I’ve decided to fast track this process by selecting third-party formats myself, together with my commissioning team at the networks in the Netherlands. Launching an original idea on one of our networks saves international creators time, money and risk plus we will help shape the idea further and will use our radio stations and digital channels to help market the concept.”

Acquisitions veteran Lisette van Diepen has been hired to lead “The Fastest Way to Screen” program. Van Diepen started her career at Endemol International as director of acquisitions. After 15 years at Endemol, she joined Sony Pictures Television’s International Production unit to spearhead its format acquisitions department.

The first format set to launch under “The Fastest Way To Screen” concept comes from WeMake — a newly formed French prodco led by former Shine France COO Bouchra Réjani.

The social experiment show Friendly Divorce features couples who put their divorce into the hands of their friends and family. The format is confirmed to go straight to series in 2018 on SBS6, a flagship channel of Talpa Network.

The Dutch market has proven to be an incubator to test media formats for global potential, according to Talpa. The Netherlands is listed as third in the world for exporting formats, with series such as The Voice, Big Brother, Fear Factor and Deal or No Deal? originating in the country before being propelled worldwide.

Talpa Network is fully owned by de Mol and functions separately from the Talpa Media Group, which is part of ITV Studios and creates, produces and distributes formats such as The Voice. De Mol’s Talpa Network includes four linear television networks in the Netherlands, as well as radio, live events, digital, social media and e-commerce.