Talpa Studios and Ukraine's commercial net Novy announced today the co-production of The Floor.

This production is a unique Dutch-Ukrainian collaboration. As part of a relief effort for the war, Talpa Studios is producing The Floor at their production hub in the Netherlands, in close cooperation with the Ukrainian broadcaster and with the support of local partners.

The show aims to offer a form of distraction from the news and contribute to the positive well-being of Ukrainian viewers. The Floor Ukraine is set to air in the spring of 2024.

In this special version of The Floor, the 100 contestants are Ukrainians who fled the war and most of them currently live in the Netherlands. From women and young adults trying to build up an existence in the Netherlands, to veterans who are currently in the Netherlands for physical rehabilitation. They are selected by a Ukrainian casting crew, working from Talpa Studios’ local office in Laren. During the selection process, contestants shared moving stories and personal stories of the past 1.5 years.

Olha Zadorozhna, General Manager, Novy, commented: “Talpa Studios’ support means a lot to us and all Ukrainians. The show's unique format fosters a sense of unity within society, emphasizing the importance of socialization for veterans and promoting our language and culture. We know that there is an increasing demand for entertainment shows in Ukraine and we greatly appreciate the sympathy of Talpa Studios and their local partners for our country. We are honored to work with the world leader in formats”.

John de Mol, owner of Talpa Studios, added: "At the beginning of the year, we welcomed a Ukrainian colleague to our Global Distribution team, and she told us how much the people in her home country craved entertainment as a temporary distraction from the war. We were all moved by her story and decided to contribute by doing what we do best: making great entertainment shows. Ukraine has always been a frontrunner in locally producing formats such as The Voice, I Love My Country and Dating in the Dark - shows I had a key role in developing. We're happy that we are now also able to bring the successful quiz show The Floor to Ukraine, and we hope it will offer them a welcome distraction.”