Rochford creates songwriting format with Talpa

The partnership between John de Mol’s Talpa Concepts and British entertainment producer Rochford Productions has resulted in music reality format I Want Your Song. 

The programme will air on the Netherlands’ SBS6 this summer and each episode will feature a prominent Dutch music artist and five songwriters, who will pitch them their original song with the assistance of a live band.  

The audience is filled with 100 of the artist’s biggest fans who will provide the star with advice on which song to choose. The chosen song at the end of each episode will be available for download and streaming immediately and accompanied with a music video.  

Talpa and Rochford inked a development deal last summer which would see the pair develop a project with a view to selling the format internationally. The show is produced and distributed by Talpa.  

Chris Hopkins, Rochford’s executive producer, described I Want Your Song as a “new route into the music industry for all our potential singer songwriters. Their ability to write an original hit song for someone else could change their life forever.” 

Geertje Hoek, managing director of Talpa Concepts, added: “Working together with creatives from outside of our own company on creating new formats is something we focus on more than ever.”