Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting System has named former MTV Entertainment Studios and Armoza Formats executive Elwin de Groot to join the Japanese network as a senior unscripted development executive. The news comes after Mr. de Groot served as an advisor to Tokyo Broadcasting System for the past 18 months and helped establish the station’s Los Angeles office.
With De Groot joining the company full-time, Tokyo Broadcasting is expanding its footprint in the U.S. with plans to develop original IP and adapt broadcast formats for U.S. audiences. As part of that role, sales and development executive Shuji Maeda recently relocated from the company’s Tokyo headquarters to Los Angeles.
Tokyo Broadcasting System has been partnering with production companies on new IP as de Groot moves into an in-house role. The company is also expanding the format of its original skateboard entertainment series “Kasso,” which is currently airing for three seasons on the station. The first “Kasso Fest” live event here was held in Long Beach in March of this year.
“We are excited to be working with TBS to expand our presence in the U.S. market,” De Groot said in a statement. “Their impressive catalog is bold and unique, and their creative vision continues to push the boundaries of the format space.”
De Groot’s recent work includes serving as head of development at Youngest Media Group, where his deals included partnerships with LeBron James’ SpringHill Company and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. He was a senior development producer at MTV Entertainment Studios (co-developing Paramount+’s “All Star Shore”) and a senior alternative development producer at Sony Pictures Television. He also founded and ran the LA office of All3Media’s Optomen Productions and spent six years as senior creative director at Armoza Formats, where he co-created formats including Fox’s “The Four,” NBC’s “I Can Do That” and ITV’s “Babushka.” Talpa Media developed Net5’s fashion format “Beat the Top Designer.” De Groot started working in development and marketing at Endemol Shine.
“TBS’s success is built on relationships and instinct, and Erwin has proven over decades that he has both,” Goshu Segawa, chief product officer at TBS International, said in a statement. “He has a keen eye for what works across many markets and cultures, and a proven track record of taking formats from concept to global hit.”
Tokyo Broadcasting System created the format behind “American Ninja Warrior,” produced by A. Smith & Company for NBC. The show will enter season 18 this summer.
