DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE & FORMAT CONSULTANT

Creating, shaping, and scaling premium entertainment formats across live, studio, and hybrid productions, from early development through global rollout.

Simon Lythgoe is a Development Executive and Format Consultant who has played a pivotal role in creating, shaping, and scaling some of the most successful entertainment formats in television history. Working across the U.K., Australia, and the United States, his expertise spans original format creation, international adaptation, and franchise expansion at the highest level of the industry.

SELECTED GLOBAL FRANCHISE FORMATS

  • Popstars –The format that revolutionized the music competition genre and launched a global wave of talent-driven series.

  • American Idol – The show that redefined music competition television and created global superstars.

  • America’s Got Talent – One of the most successful global talent franchises in television history.

  • So You Think You Can Dance – The format that transformed televised dance competitions worldwide.

  • (American) Gladiators – The physically demanding competition series that became an international phenomenon.

DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

Simon Lythgoe works at the intersection of creative vision and execution, helping producers and companies refine ideas into clear, scalable formats ready for the global marketplace. His experience spans live and live to tape performance formats, hybrid unscripted series, studio based game shows, and large scale productions incorporating audience driven and event television elements.

From early stage ideation and pitch decks to format bibles, sizzle reels, and franchise rollouts, Lythgoe brings a deep understanding of single and multi camera production, live performance logistics, and international adaptation. His approach focuses on structure, tone, and repeatability, ensuring formats are creatively strong, commercially viable, and built to travel across platforms and territories.

Trusted by major studios, broadcasters, and streamers worldwide, he is frequently brought in to sharpen concepts, unlock scale, and position projects for successful greenlight and long term franchise growth.

REPRESENTATION

For examples of format decks, production bibles, or sizzle reels, please contact Julie Choi, Buchwald.

CONTACT BUCKWALD

SELECTED DEVELOPMENT & FORMAT PARTNERS