Denmark’s public broadcaster DR has commissioned Snowman Productions to produce a local version of new social experiment format Meat the Family.

Titled Maden flytter ind (The Food Moves In), the show premieres on DR1 on November 12, 2020.

Meat the Family is a compelling new social experiment that asks ‘how much do we really know about the animals we put on our plates?’, by inviting meat-loving families to share their homes with the animals they’d normally serve up for dinner. Three weeks later, the families must decide whether to give up meat and send their animals to a sanctuary, or have them slaughtered and eat their former houseguests.

Anne Garlichs, Programme Director at DR, said: “The increased interest in animal welfare and the environmental consequences of our meat production industries is the focus of this entertaining format. In a surprising and informative way, the format explores the pros and cons of producing and eating meat the way we do it now. The emotional choice each family faces, of whether to eat or save their animal roommates, will no doubt spark a relevant debate in the many family homes of Denmark.”

Mette Nissen, Head of Programming at Snowman, said: “The debate about animal welfare and eating meat continues to rage everywhere, including Denmark. Meat the Family brilliantly explores this by making it feel relevant, inspiring and entertaining – and without any judgement. We’ve found four wonderful, brave families to take on the challenge, and can’t wait for the show to premiere on DR.”

Originally produced by Spun Gold TV based on a format by Rise Films, Meat the Family aired on Channel 4 in 2019 provoking significant UK and global media attention, with The Guardian calling the show “fascinating” and “packaging a quiet ethical consumption message up in the cosy familiarity of primetime TV”.

The format is distributed worldwide by Red Arrow Studios International, and launched at MIPCOM 2019, with influential formats analyst Virginia Mouseler of The Wit hailing it as “the most transgressive show of the year”. The format has sold to territories including Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Snowman also produce the hit social experiment Married at First Sight for DR, which is now in its sixth season. The format they created is on air in 29 countries worldwide, including long-running series in the US, UK, Germany and Australia. Married at First Sight is distributed worldwide by Red Arrow Studios International.

Snowman recently produced new adventure format Klædt af mod toppen med familien Wozniacki for Discovery Network Denmark. Red Arrow Studios International launched the format to international buyers at MIPCOM 2020, titled How to Become Superhuman.

Other Snowman credits include Buying Blind and Kiss Bang Love (TV3 Denmark); A League of Their Own (Kanal 5); and comedy show Menneskekender (TV2 Zulu; international title: How Dare You!).The company also launched its own international format development label, Snowman Global, last year.

More about the Meat the Family format here