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MUMBAI: BBC's smash hit Strictly Come Dancing will debut
in the US following a new production agreement between BBC Worldwide
and ABC. The US version of the show will feature a new title, a
new celebrity line-up, a new host and new judges.
In the first deal of its kind for BBC Worldwide, the variety show
will be produced in America for ABC, by the in-house BBC Entertainment
production team responsible for the hit UK version.
The as yet unnamed six-part, prime time series will feature eight
celebrities paired with leading professional dancers to train and
then compete in a live television knockout ballroom dancing competition.
Casting is currently underway, with talent likely to be confirmed
in the next few weeks. The line-up is set to include TV and movie
stars, alongside other American celebrities.
BBC Worldwide's director of format licensing Colin Jarvis said,
"Working with ABC in this unique way, gives us a new opportunity
to develop a hit BBC property in this extremely important market.
The reaction to the show around the world has been phenomenal and
proves yet again the strength of the in-house format development
team within BBC Entertainment. With this pedigree, the show has
all the hallmarks of a huge US hit."
ABC executive VP alternative programming, specials and late night
Andrea Wong said, "I am fully aware that this may sound like
the craziest show anyone in the US has every heard of. But in a
world where its easier for reality series to imitate than innovate,
I just love how fresh this format is. And the show's global success
demonstrates how audiences around the world find it surprising and,
undeniably, fun."
Strictly Come Dancing is proving a success around the globe
for BBC Worldwide, with deals for local versions with TV2 in Denmark,
TVN in Poland, VTM in Belgium and TVNZ in New Zealand recently confirmed.
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