Every great TV formatmust make it through the Idea Maze
From initial concept to global franchise, every hit survives the Idea Maze.
Produced for
Who We Are
Full-service unscripted production for the networks that matter.
Idea Maze Entertainment is a full-service unscripted production company developing original formats built to sustain multiple seasons and travel across borders.
Featured Work
A few from the slate.
What We Do
Three ways to work with us.
Development & Production
Original unscripted formats built to sustain multiple seasons and travel across borders. Game shows, competition series, follow-docs, and premium reality.
Explore ShowsConsulting & Advisory
Strategic guidance on format development, slate strategy, and franchise architecture for networks, streamers, studios, and global brands.
View Advisory WorkKeynote Speaking
Poznick takes audiences through the Idea Maze, sharing lessons learned from the creative gauntlet that apply to any business. Keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and Q&A sessions.
Book Barry
The Founder
Founded by Barry Poznick.
A television producer and studio president whose work has helped shape the unscripted landscape. Over 25 years, Poznick has overseen hits including The Voice, Shark Tank, Survivor, American Gladiators, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and The Real Housewives.
Prior to joining Mark Burnett at MGM Studios as President of Alternative Television, Poznick founded ZOO Productions — responsible for MTV’s The Blame Game, Oxygen’s Girls Behaving Badly, MTV’s Buck Wild, and FOX’s Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? He later sold the company to UK-based All3media.
Poznick now leads Idea Maze Entertainment, developing original formats and advising networks, studios, and brands around the world.
The short list
- The Voice
- Shark Tank
- Survivor
- American Gladiators
- Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
- The Real Housewives
The Philosophy
All unscripted formats start the same way…
with an idea that isn’t perfect, yet.
All global hits must survive the Idea Maze.
Hit walls. Get stuck in dead ends. Rethink, revise, retest.
When an idea makes it to the finish line, the fun begins.
The result: a winning format runs the maze over and over — episode after episode, season after season, all around the world.
If you have a format, a slot to fill, or a question — we’d like to hear from you.