Fremantle has acquired the global production and distribution rights (excluding Japan) to Inside the Grid, the exciting new studio game show format.
Originally developed by leading Japanese broadcaster and producer Yomiuri TV (YTV), and known as The Walls in Japan, Inside the Grid was born from a simple question: What if you weren’t just playing a board game - what if you were inside one?
In this fully immersive format, Inside the Grid drops four players into a giant, glowing grid, daring them to outthink, outmanoeuvre, and outbluff each other, with sharp strategic play colliding with laugh-out-loud moments. Walls rise, alliances form, lies are told, and strategies flip on their head in seconds. The twist? Each player can only see what’s directly in their view, as walls block visibility. It’s part board game, part video game, and part social chess, but every move is live, loud, and impossible to hide from.
The game show’s distinctive look comes from its clean, futuristic set, evoking the feel of a video game brought to life. A defining feature is that players never see the full board from above, ensuring every move and reveal unfolds within the players’ restricted field of vision.
The Walls is a smart, high-energy format built for global audiences. Beneath its playful moments and flashes of silliness lies a fiercely strategic contest, where quick thinking, tactical moves, and a sharp mind determine who stands tall at the end. It’s tense, visual, and deeply pivotal.
Commissioned as a special and aired on YTV in Japan in February 2025, Inside the Grid ranked number one with young viewers on launch night. In Japan, the show is played by celebrities, but it can be adapted to suit different casting approaches worldwide.
Commenting on the deal, Vasha Wallace, EVP Global Acquisitions and Development, Global Entertainment at Fremantle, said: "Inside the Grid perfectly demonstrates how a simple game mechanic combined with striking design and bold execution can create a truly global entertainment property. We immediately recognised its originality, universal appeal, and the electric energy it brings to the studio floor. This format has all the ingredients to become a standout hit across diverse markets worldwide."
Kazuma Sakamoto, Producer of Inside The Grid at YTV, said: "Inside the Grid is built on a simple set of rules, yet the walls obstructing the players’ view create a complex web of intentions, making it a game with no guaranteed winning strategy. I'm thrilled to be working with such a global company, Fremantle, as I believe this partnership will unveil a new world of gameplay, previously unseen. While Inside the Grid is fun to watch, it’s even more exhilarating to play, and I’m confident audiences everywhere will embrace it with enthusiasm."
