Public broadcaster commissions documentary format as part of emergency services information initiative by the Turkish government

Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries has sold documentary format Emergency Call to Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT where it will form part of a public benefit campaign on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Interior. The fast-paced show, which follows the ups and downs of an emergency call centre through the ears and eyes of the people who work there, will help to inform the Turkish public of the new unified 112 emergency number. A first season of 13 episodes will be produced by Sera Film Services and air on TRT1.

A spokesperson for TRT said: “TRT, Turkey’s Public Broadcaster, produces content focused on ‘people and value’ so within this context the Emergency Call format is a great fit for our channel. The series, which has aired in many countries and received great acclaim, allows us to see a variety of stories from the perspective of the emergency call centre employees and we believe our audience will follow these compelling and narrative-driven stories with curiosity and pleasure. We are very excited about the project’s release and the audience’s reaction.”

Julian Curtis, co-founder of Lineup Industries, said: “We are so pleased to see how this format is being used as part of a public awareness campaign in Turkey to help educate people on the new number for the emergency services. In each territory the series has aired, the content has been riveting, bringing to life the unique and incredible day-to-day work of the people who answer these important calls. If it also helps to save lives in Turkey by raising awareness, that makes it incredibly rewarding as well.”

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 has been made locally in Belgium (both Flemish and French), Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, as well as being actively optioned for further markets.

The US version of the format, produced by 8 Hours Television and hosted by actor Luke Wilson, has also sold to Australia’s Nine Network, New Zealand’s TV3 and Talpa TV in the Netherlands. Brand new episodes have also aired on ABC in the US this year.

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.