(16 February 2006 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: International television and media group FBC has entered into a strategic partnership with US independent producer Bunim-Murray Productions enabling exploitation of both entities’ formats.

The accord also includes a co-production and distribution deal where FBC’s Indian television and media subsidiary - FBC India, will co-produce Bunim-Murray’s formats in India. On the other hand, FBC’s local productions arms in the UK and Italy will co-produce the formats for the British and Italian markets.

The initial phase of this deal will also include plans to localise the hit reality show The Scholar for Hindi-language broadcast in India.

In addition, Diverse, FBC’s London-based format and production subsidiary, will co-produce its formats in the United States with Bunim-Murray.

Under the terms of the agreement the two companies will be exploring potential co-productions in the Indian, British and Italian markets based in successful Bunim-Murray formats and hit series, as well as co-productions in the US of original formats produced by Diverse.

The Scholar (which premiered in ABC Television Network in the US) is the first show ever to celebrate higher education as the ultimate prize. The opportunity of a lifetime comes true for one among the best and brightest high school students in this original Bunim-Murray series that sends the winner to a top-rated university, all expenses paid.

FBC India Pvt executive director Samir Gupta said, "We are extremely pleased to be partners of a production entity such as Bunim-Murray known for the extraordinary television and filmed entertainment it has produced over the years. I am sure both our companies will benefit from the partnership. The buzz around reality shows in India is amazing and I am convinced that Bunim-Murray’s hit reality shows will meet the aspirational needs of young Indians."

Bunim-Murray Productions CEO Joey Carson said, "We are thrilled to be collaborating with a worldwide leader like FBC. This relationship will capitalise on both companies’ strongholds to develop cutting-edge programming and allow for a broader reach with our existing formats."

FBC India is FBC’s Indian television and media subsidiary with operations in Mumbai and New Delhi. It has to its credit Lakme Fashion House, a local Hindi-language adaptation of FBC’s original reality format Fashion House. Lakme Fashion House was broadcast on Star One.

Bunim-Murray Productions has created shows such as The Real World (MTV), Road Rules (MTV), The Simple Life (Fox) and Starting Over (syndicated).