Portugal’s RTP is the latest broadcaster to call on the fast-paced factual format 

Amsterdam. 10 November 2025. Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries has signed its latest deal for compelling documentary format Emergency Call with RTP commissioning the series for Portugal, produced by Boxfish. The Iberian deal follows a commission from SRF in Switzerland where the series has launched with high ratings, and a season four recommission in Japan, where it airs on NHK.

The Emergency Call format was originally created by De chinezen for Belgium broadcaster VRT Eén, the Flemish public channel. Lineup Industries handles global distribution for the series which follows the ups and downs and human stories of an emergency call centre.

The US version of the format, produced by 8 Hours Television and hosted by actor Luke Wilson, also sold to Australia’s Nine Network, New Zealand’s TV3 and Talpa TV in the Netherlands, while local versions of the format have been produced in Belgium (both Flemish and French), Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Turkey where it formed part of a governmental public service campaign.

Emergency Call follows the ups and downs of regular shifts in an emergency call centre through the ears and eyes of the people who work there. Featuring paramedics, police and fire brigade services, the compelling documentary format follows the telephone workers who face critical first minutes of an emergency – inane, unexpected and often dangerous situations requiring immediate responses. Whether it’s handling a distressing call about a suspected intruder or an absurd request for the police to deliver food and cigarettes. This is the story of the extraordinary call centre operators at the front line, who expect the unexpected every time they answer the phone.

Ed Louwerse, co-founder of Lineup Industries, said: “This format has proven to be a multi-territory hit with Portugal the latest territory coming on board for a local version and further commissions in the works. The show’s combination of potentially critical situations with the calm perceptive focus of the emergency call workers makes for gripping viewing.”

Nuno Vaz, head of entertainment for RTP, said: “We are very glad to have Emergency Call becoming a part of our programming offer. We feel that this format suits our commitment to our audience as a public service broadcaster and that it will be very useful to show the viewers a good insight into the nature of the activities portrayed on Emergency Call, whether they are medical assistance, firemen, or the police.”