ProSieben and SBS6 jointly produced “The New Uri Geller” TV show in Cologne. This back-to-back production for Germany and Holland proves how synergy effects work within the ProSiebenSat.1 Group. The show is about to start in Hungary.

January 8, 2008. In four and a half hours, ProSieben will air the first installment of “The Next Uri Geller — Unglaubliche Phänomene live.“ Moderator Stefan Gödde is on the set, still wearing jeans and a polo shirt. For the last time before the big live show, everyone is

rehearsing the moderation, camera movements and transfers to the call center. The studio is still empty, with only a couple of production crew members scattered throughout the seating rows. Among them is Oliver Brendel, Executive Producer of “The Next Uri Geller — Unglaubliche Phänomene live“ at ProSieben He has been helping to prepare the show for months, and only minutes are left before it goes on the air for the first time. But Brendel is a professional and shows no signs of nervousness — not outwardly, at least. “My work is finished. The concept and content are all there. Now it’s time for others to take over.”

Orange for Holland, blue for Germany

Tina Nijkamp, SBS 6 station manager, has come from Amsterdam for the rehearsals in Cologne. “The Next Uri Geller,“ or “De nieuwe Uri Geller,“ is the first major show that the two stations within the new ProSiebenSat.1 Group have produced jointly in the same studio. “We won’t be on the air for another three weeks, and we already have the opportunity to view the full production and get a clear idea of the studio and the program sequencing.”

Station Manager Nijkamp also needs to decide whether she will take over the ProSieben show as is for the Dutch market or whether she wants to change a thing or two. In fact, three weeks later, ProSieben’s white lounge chairs have disappeared from the set, replaced by a desk where Geller will sit. Greater focus will be placed on the mentor and judge, emphasizing their authority. The two TV nations also differ in their lighting preferences. The Dutch immerse their family

show in a soft red-orange light, while blue and green dominate on the ProSieben set. But these are just details. Most of the set design and technology is identical for both shows.

One thing the two neighboring countries do agree on is that “The Next Uri Geller“ and “De nieuwe Uri Geller“ are some of the most entertaining programs on television today. On ProSieben, the show has captured around 20 percent of the market; in Holland, the search for Geller’s successor is even more successful.