TOKYO, JAPAN – Fuji Television Network, Inc. (“Fuji TV”), Japan’s leading commercial television network, today announced a strategic partnership with prominent international format expert Tim Crescenti and his company, Small World International Format Television, LLC (“Small World IFT”). Under the agreement, Crescenti will serve as a non-exclusive representative to drive the international distribution of Fuji TV’s acclaimed format library across worldwide markets (excluding Japan) and provide strategic advisory services for Fuji TV’s upcoming original IP developments.
This strategic move comes as Japanese major broadcasters rapidly accelerate their global footprint, particularly in the North American and international format markets. As major players like Nippon TV expand their U.S. operations and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) onboards seasoned international executives, Fuji TV’s collaboration with Crescenti marks a pivotal milestone in bringing Japanese unscripted and scripted IP to global audiences.
Fuji TV is legendary for originating iconic monster formats that became global pop-culture phenomena, including Iron Chef and Hole in the Wall (distributed by Fremantle). Crescenti, is a recognized pioneer in the global television format industry with a proven track record of discovering and distributing world-renowned Japanese and international hits, including Dragons’ Den, Silent Library, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, and Better Late Than Never (aka Grandpas Over Flowers).
Tomoaki Hashizume, Head of Global Distribution & Business Development at Fuji Television Network, Inc., commented:
“The global demand for innovative, high-concept unscripted and scripted formats has never been higher. As our peers in Japan continue to expand their presence in the U.S. and global markets, we are thrilled to partner with Tim Crescenti. Tim’s deep industry relationships, creative instinct, and unmatched expertise in cross-border format adaptations make him the ideal partner to amplify Fuji TV’s diverse catalog on the global stage.”
Tim Crescenti, Small World IFT added:
“Japan—the country, the culture, and our deep relationships with our Japanese colleagues—has been the very heart of our business for twenty years. Fuji TV has consistently generated brilliant, game-changing concepts, from timeless global hits to next-generation ideas. This partnership captures everything I love about working with Japan. We look forward to bringing Fuji TV’s rich library to international buyers and collaborating on brand-new formats designed specifically for global appeal.”
About Fuji Television Network, Inc.
Fuji Television Network, Inc. is Japan’s premier commercial television broadcast network, producing and distributing a diverse portfolio of high-quality unscripted and scripted entertainment, news, sports, and drama series. Known as an IP powerhouse and the originator of iconic, globally recognized television formats such as Iron Chef and Hole in the Wall, Fuji TV continuously delivers innovative content across traditional broadcasting and worldwide media platforms.
About Small World International Format Television, LLC
Founded in 2005 by Tim and Colleen Crescenti, Small World International is a leading global distributor and producer of television formats. Its landmark hit Better Late Than Never (aka Grandpas Over Flowers) — the first South Korean format produced in the U.S. — launched at #1 on NBC in 2016 and has since sold to 18 territories.
Tim Crescenti is renowned for bringing Dragons’ Den (aka Shark Tank) to the U.S. during his time at Sony; the format is now adapted in more than 50 countries. Other successes include the Rose d’Or-winning I Survived a Japanese Game Show on ABC, Silent Library, and Got What It Takes? — the first Romanian format sold to the UK, running six seasons on CBBC.
Before founding Small World, Crescenti was VP of International Production at Fox World, rolling out formats including Joe Millionaire and The Simple Life, and earlier VP of International Formats at Sony Pictures Television International, where he introduced hits including Dragons’ Den.
■Press Release
https://www.fujitv.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Press-Release_Fujitv_Small-World20260908_FINAL.pdf