Fremantle’s new music game Hitster has landed versions in the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada.
Featuring teams battling to assemble a timeline of iconic songs, it is based on the music trivia card game from Jumbo Group launched in 2022.
Fremantle-owned Blue Circle is working with NewBe on an eight-episode version for RTL4 in the Netherlands. UFA, also in the Fremantle family, has scored a six-episode commission from RTL Deutschland. In Canada, Attraction and Productions Déferlantes are set to make two seasons with with Quebecor Content.
Creative development of the format was led by Fremantle Netherlands and NewBe alongside Jumbo Group. Fremantle holds the international production and distribution rights.
Andrew Llinares, director of global entertainment, noted, “Hitster has already proven it can spark conversation and bring people together in their living rooms—and that’s exactly what great entertainment does. It’s a brilliantly social, instantly playable format that taps into nostalgia and music passion across generations. Building on our partnership with NewBe and Jumbo Group, with these first broadcast partners on board, there’s real excitement around scaling the format internationally and bringing an instant party into homes around the world.”
Isa Lana, CMO at Jumbo Group, added: “Seeing Hitster evolve from a bestselling party game into an international TV format is an incredibly proud moment for us. What started as a simple idea, bringing generations together through music, has grown into a global brand with real cultural impact. The TV adaptation captures the instinctive, feel-good energy that made the game a success, while amplifying the emotion and shared moments that music uniquely creates. We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Fremantle and NewBe as we scale Hitster to audiences around the world.”
Jeroen Koopman, founder and CEO at NewBe, said, “With Jumbo Group, Hitster became a worldwide hit, and that gave us a strong foundation to build from together with Fremantle. From the start, our creative focus was clear: preserve the heart and DNA of the brand, while translating it into a television format that feels true to the original game experience. Seeing the TV version now begin a similar international journey with launches in three territories is a proud moment for all of us.”
