ITV Studios Just Dropped a Game Show Bombshell at Mipcom—And It's About to Change Everything
The Chase Gets a Massive Global Spin-Off, Plus the Final Chapter of a Legendary Documentary Franchise Is Here
By CelebBuzz StaffOctober 05, 2026Source: VarietyFact-Check: HIGH
A TV Empire Just Made Its Biggest Power Move Yet
At one of the entertainment industry's most exclusive gatherings, ITV Studios just dropped a slate of bombshell announcements that have insiders buzzing. We're talking about a massive expansion of one of the UK's most beloved game shows—and it's going global in a way nobody expected.
The British production powerhouse revealed 10 brand new titles on its formats slate at Mipcom, the international formats market where networks and producers buy and sell the next generation of hit shows. But one announcement is stealing all the thunder.
According to reports, ITV Studios isn't just bringing back beloved franchises—they're reinventing them on a scale never attempted before. And if the early industry buzz is any indication, this could be the shot in the arm that traditional television has been desperately waiting for.
But that's not all. The company also revealed something equally momentous: the final chapter of one of the most groundbreaking documentary series in television history is finally here.
So what exactly did ITV Studios announce? And why is the industry convinced this could be a game-changer? Keep reading to find out...
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The Chase Gets Ready for Its Global Takeover
Here's where it gets interesting. ITV Studios has created The Chase Around the World, a multi-country treasure hunt format that's designed to be the ultimate spin-off of one of television's most addictive game shows: The Chase.
If you're not familiar with The Chase, here's the deal: it's a high-octane quiz show where contestants race against time—and a brilliant "Chaser" determined to stop them—to win big prize money. It's been a ratings juggernaut for ITV, and it's spawned international versions across the globe. But The Chase Around the World takes the concept to an entirely new level.
Imagine The Chase meets globetrotting adventure. Picture contestants traveling across multiple countries, facing challenges that span continents, while the clock ticks and the stakes get higher with every mile traveled. It's the kind of format that has the potential to work in markets worldwide—from Europe to Asia to the Americas.
This isn't just an incremental update. This is a reimagining of one of TV's most successful franchises for an era where audiences are hungry for bigger, bolder, more ambitious television. The format is positioned to be one of the crown jewels in ITV Studios' portfolio of international content.
But here's the thing: ITV Studios didn't stop there. While industry insiders were still processing The Chase Around the World, the company dropped another announcement that left veterans of the television industry genuinely emotional.
The unscripted lineup reveal included something so significant, so historically important, that it marks the end of an era. What's the announcement that has the entire industry paying attention? Scroll to the next page to find out.
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A Television Legacy Comes to an End—In the Most Perfect Way Possible
For over five decades, one documentary series has done something truly unprecedented in television: it captured the same group of people at seven-year intervals, documenting their lives, dreams, struggles, and triumphs across generations. Now, that legendary franchise is reaching its conclusion.
ITV Studios has revealed that 70 Up—the latest installment in the groundbreaking 7 Up documentary series—is officially the final chapter of the story. If you haven't heard of 7 Up, let us explain why this matters: the series is a genuine television phenomenon.
Starting in 1964, 7 Up followed a group of British children and checked in on them every seven years. The result? An unparalleled documentary project that essentially invented the "structural documentary" format. Audiences watched these real people grow from children into teenagers, then young adults, then middle-aged people navigating careers, relationships, parenthood, and all the complexities of modern life.
Each installment—7 Plus Seven, 21 Up, 28 Up, 35 Up, 42 Up, 49 Up, 56 Up, 63 Up—became an event in the television world. Critics hailed it as essential viewing. Audiences returned faithfully, year after year, to check in on people they felt they actually knew.
Now, with 70 Up, the journey comes to an end. This is the final installment of what is genuinely one of television's most important artistic achievements. The news has sent shockwaves through the industry—not because anyone didn't see it coming (the subjects are in their 70s, after all), but because it marks the closing of a unique chapter in broadcasting history.
The timing of these announcements—a bold new global format and the final chapter of a legendary series—reveals something crucial about where ITV Studios is heading. But what does all this mean for the future of television? Turn to the final page for the full analysis.
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What This Means for the Future of Television
Industry insiders are already analyzing what these announcements mean for the broader television landscape. On one hand, ITV Studios is betting big on ambitious, globally scalable formats like The Chase Around the World—a sign that traditional broadcasters are still convinced they can compete in an era dominated by streaming giants.
On the other hand, the company is honoring its legacy by giving 7 Up the proper sendoff it deserves with 70 Up. This dual approach—looking forward while respecting the past—is exactly what industry analysts say successful production companies need to do to survive the current media upheaval.
The 10 new titles on ITV Studios' formats slate represent a significant bet on international television markets. With The Chase Around the World leading the charge, the company is clearly positioning itself to capture demand from networks worldwide that are hungry for fresh, ambitious content that can work across multiple markets.
For fans of 7 Up, 70 Up represents a bittersweet moment: the chance to say goodbye to characters they've followed for literally their entire lives, while celebrating the extraordinary achievement that the series represents. For the industry, it's a reminder that sometimes the most powerful television comes not from big budgets or celebrity names, but from genuine human connection and a willingness to take long-term creative risks.
This story is developing as industry reactions continue to come in. Stay tuned to CelebBuzz for updates.
This story is developing. Follow CelebBuzz for updates.
Originally reported by Variety. Fact-check confidence: HIGH