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MUMBAI:
SPTI (Sony Pictures Television International) has licensed
the reality format Ripley's Believe it or Not to Mediacorp
for Singapore and Redcandle Asia for Indonesia.
Localized
versions of reality series launched last week in Singapore
on MediaCorp's Channel 5 and in Indonesia on TV One (previously
known as Lativi).
The
localized shows are currently airing in primetime slots on
Channel 5 (8.30 pm to 9 pm) and TV One (7 pm to 8 pm).
Viewers
in those countries can now view the bizarre spectacles, which
will be guided by a local host in the local language and incorporating
the local culture.
 In
addition to Singapore and Indonesia, the format has also been
in licensed to GMA Network, Inc., the free-to-air broadcaster
in the Philippines. A production date has not been set yet
for the Filipino version, stated an official release.
The
Singaporean version is hosted by Allan Wu (host of AXN's The
Amazing Race Asia, MTV Taiwan's Party Zone and
Most Wanted) and the Indonesian version will be hosted
in Bahasa Indonesia by movie and television actor, Ari Wibowo.
The
original U.S. version was hosted by Dean Cain (Lois &
Clark: The New Adventures of Superman).
"Ripley's
Believe it or Not! is a timeless franchise that has entertained
audiences around the world since 1918. The original U.S. version
proved to be a hit across Asia, and we are proud to partner
with Mediacorp, Redcandle and TV One to bring the same brand
of outrageous and bizarre stories to Singapore and Indonesia.
We believe audiences will welcome local hosts to take them
on these strange and fantastic journeys," said Sony Pictures
Television International executive director production Mary
Chan.
Ripley's Believe it or Not! started out as a single-panel
cartoon in 1918 by Robert L. Ripley and has now grown into
a global entertainment brand encompassing cartoons, books,
posters, games, mobile content, TV series and amusement attractions.
The
U.S. version of Ripley's Believe it or Not! featuring Dean
Cain ran for four seasons and still air in syndication today.
The U.S. version was distributed by SPTI around the world
to great success. SPTI then created a "blue screen"
version which could be easily adapted with a local host and
set. Such localized versions have already been created for
Germany, Mexico, the UK and most recently Russia and Italy.
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