'Balcony Stories' ViacomCBS International Studios, Fremantle Team UP For Short-Form Series

ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) has gone into production on “Balcony Stories,” a slate of short-form content to celebrate the positive and creative ways people are experiencing this complicated situation. 

The short-form series, produced by VIS in collaboration with Fremantle, is based on content from audiences and talent, redefining the role of the users by transforming them into active storytellers and the protagonists of their shows.

Videos will show off people’s new daily routine, with balconies transformed into windows that look into everyone’s homes during the crisis, as well as their sense of humour, the relationships, and the artists within them.

“Balcony Stories” premieres on April 22 on ViacomCBS Networks International’s linear channels MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Paramount Networks, BET and Spike, and on digital platforms across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The content will be localized into 27 different versions and is to air across 130 countries and 100 channels, with four daily episodes airing Monday to Friday. A selection of the best content from the week will also air every Saturday in an extended edition.

Raffaele Annecchino, president of ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA, said: “At ViacomCBS, we have always been committed to reaching our audience everywhere and at any time. Now that we are living in this unprecedented situation, more than ever, we need to stay connected and close to our fans, helping them to stay positive. Balcony Stories was born with this spirit. During these months, our eyes have opened up as well as our imagination, our sense of humour, and the artist within us all. Sharing the fun and emotional stories that we are all living can underline even more the fact that we are still all together, reflecting the empathy, creativity, and positive vibes from around the world. With Balcony Stories, we want to celebrate this positive attitude.”

“Balcony Stories” is the latest in a slate of lockdown content being produced by VIS brands.

Produced in collaboration with Fremantle with user-generated content, Balcony Stories will turn the viewers into the protagonists. Videos can show off the new daily routine, the sense of humour coming up from this situation, the relationships, the love, the artists within us all: everything that becomes a testament of how people from all around the world, from Japan to the Netherlands, are living this unique moment.

Last week, MTV International greenlit “Lockdown Laughs with Charlotte Crosby,” which sees the British reality TV star curate quarantine clips from across the globe.

Meanwhile, Comedy Central International has commissioned short-form digital series “Comedians in Quarantine” featuring 10 comedians exploring life during the lockdown.