Ireland Emerges as Unlikely Hub for American Game Shows

In a surprising entertainment industry development, Ireland has quietly established itself as a major production center for American television game shows, with networks like Fox creating a “conveyor belt” of popular programs south of Dublin that are beamed into millions of U.S. homes.

This strategic shift toward Irish production represents one of the most significant yet least publicized trends in television economics, as U.S. broadcasters capitalize on substantial cost savings, tax incentives, and production efficiencies that the country offers while maintaining the glossy American appearance viewers expect.

Fox Leads Ireland’s Television Revolution

Fox Entertainment has emerged as the leading proponent of Irish-based productions, establishing a substantial studio hub that has become home to several of its most recognizable game shows. Popular programs including “Name That Tune,” “The Floor” and “Beat Shazam” are now filmed entirely at Ireland’s Ardmore Studios and other facilities, despite being marketed as quintessentially American entertainment.

“The huge share of U.K. prestige production spend that comes from the U.S.” has transformed the Irish production landscape, according to The Ankler, which describes Fox’s approach as creating a “conveyor belt” of shiny-floor shows streaming out of Ireland’s increasingly sophisticated production infrastructure.

While some producers consider this offshore trend problematic, others argue networks are simply responding to financial realities in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape where budgets have been slashed aggressively in recent years.

Economic Forces Driving the Shift

The migration of game show production to Ireland represents a strategic response to changing industry economics. Jenny Daly, president of Critical Content, the production company behind hits like “Catfish,” explained the fundamental business challenge: “Budgets have come down aggressively. You have to really figure out, ‘Well, if I’ve lost my assurance of dollars and cash flow into the company, how do I then own my IP?'”

Ireland offers a compelling solution through a combination of factors including lower production costs, qualified English-speaking crews, state-of-the-art facilities, and significant tax incentives. The Section 481 tax scheme has proven particularly attractive to American producers, with industry leaders actively lobbying to extend these benefits to unscripted formats.

Sean O’Riordan of Dublin-headquartered BiggerStage, which co-produced Fox’s “Name That Tune,” has been instrumental in establishing this production pipeline. His company’s success in luring the show from Sydney, Australia, where its first revival season was filmed, demonstrates the economic advantages Ireland can offer.

Cultural Challenges and Adaptations

The process of producing American shows on Irish soil comes with unique cultural challenges. One producer noted that casting Irish audience members for American shows requires careful consideration since “we make television slightly differently in terms of tone.”

“Americanizing” formats for U.S. networks while shooting overseas demands specialized expertise that Irish production companies have rapidly developed. This includes everything from visual aesthetics to pacing and audience management, with Irish crews becoming adept at creating content that appears seamlessly American.

Despite these challenges, the multilingual, culturally adaptable Irish workforce has proven particularly skilled at understanding American market expectations while bringing European production efficiency to the table.

Growth and Future Potential

The success of this model has industry insiders predicting substantial growth in Ireland’s role as a television production center. “There is no reason why Ireland could not become a world leader for top class entertainment TV and become a great base for production hubs to benefit the entire industry,” according to BiggerStage founder Kiel Peterson, who has met with government officials to discuss expansion opportunities.

This sentiment reflects growing confidence that Ireland can establish itself as a permanent fixture in international television production rather than a temporary cost-saving measure. With existing infrastructure continuing to expand and government support strengthening, the country is positioning itself for long-term success in this sector.

However, competition remains fierce, with Peterson noting that “we are competing against many other markets who see the same potential. So we need to move quickly and make sure Ireland demonstrates its capabilities as well as its appetite for this area of growth potential.”

Industry-Wide Implications

The Irish game show model represents a fundamental shift in how television content is conceptualized and produced globally. Rather than viewing production as inherently tied to broadcast markets, networks are increasingly adopting a borderless approach that separates creative development from physical production.

This trend extends beyond game shows, with dramas like “Vikings Valhalla” and “The Fall” showcasing Ireland’s versatility as a production location. The country’s varied landscapes and architectural settings provide an adaptable backdrop for diverse programming needs.

As one industry analyst observed, “Hollywood’s shift to overseas production has been contentious, to say the least. But it’s hard to argue with the efficiencies and savings available right now in countries around the world.” This pragmatic approach suggests that Ireland’s television production boom may be just beginning.