MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has announced that the reality show ?Big Brother? is making a comeback in two more markets.

In Germany the show is returning for the first time since 2011 having been commissioned by Sat 1 for a new celebrity series, which will launch later this year. Endemol Germany previously produced 11 series of Big Brother for RTL2 starting in 2000.

In Portugal the show is returning to TVI for the first time in 10 years for a celebrity version that is due to launch soon. Endemol Portugal previously produced six series for the channel, which first broadcast the show in 2000.

Over 20 series were broadcast in over 60 countries last year. This announcement is the latest in a series of comebacks for the format, which has successfully returned in territories such as the UK, where the show is now an established hit on Channel 5 and Australia where having previously aired on Ten Network until 2008 the show?s return on Nine Network in August 2012 was a breakout hit.

In February it was also announced that Endemol India will launch two regional language productions of the format in addition to the long running national Hindi version.

Endemol MD creative operations Iris Boelhouwer said, "Most big formats tend to have a lifespan of around five years or so but ?Big Brother? has broken this rule more than twice over. The format is still a trailblazer, which continues to roll out in new territories and deliver hit ratings in the major markets. It?s here to stay."

?Big Brother?s most recent outing was in Brazil where the thirteenth and first ever 3D series wrapped up on Globo TV on 26 March.

MUMBAI: International hit Your Face Sounds Familiar leads Endemol?s line up of formats for Mipcom 2012 along with brand new series World Games, The Bodyguard and Love is in the Air, which make their international debut, alongside returning format Plan B.

Endemol?s MD of Creative Operations Iris Boelhouwer said, "Our slate for Mipcom 2012 offers a great mix of entertainment, comedy, music and reality. These are formats with significant international potential that have already won over viewers in key territories. We?re especially proud of Your Face Sounds Familiar which is fast becoming Endemol?s next big global success."

Mipcom is the world?s entertainment content market.
 
International success Your Face Sounds Familiar is a talent competition with a comedy twist. Celebrities take on a new identity as an iconic music performer and are awarded points for singing, style and believability. But the catch is they could well find themselves transformed into someone far older, younger or even of the opposite sex. Originally produced by Endemol Spain for Antena 3, Your Face Sounds Familiar has been sold to nine territories including China and Italy.

World Games sees two celebrity rivals travel the globe competing in extreme challenges set in exotic locations. From Thai-boxing blindfolded in Thailand or jumping from the world?s highest bungee tower in Macau, each task pushes the contestants mentally and physically. They must also conquer a tough new task relating to the country they?ve just visited in front of a studio audience. Created by Endemol Germany; World Games successfully launched on ProSieben earlier this year winning its primetime Saturday night slot in the target 14-49 demo.

From Endemol UK is The Bodyguard, a game show where contestants team up with their favourite celebrities and are challenged to serve and protect their famous partners. Piloted in the UK for BBC One, The Bodyguard sees the trainee minders put through their paces in a series of funny, challenging and entertaining games.

Love is in the Air - from Endemol Netherlands is a heart-felt reality series that reunites loved ones residing in far flung countries. The host flies around the world to reunite best friends, family or soul mates. Each moving story tells the tale of a close pair who miss each other terribly but haven?t been able to organise the journey themselves. The host arranges the emotional get-together before saying goodbye and leaving for the next destination and reunion.

Plan B uses social media and television to join together people who have never met before to spontaneously make music over the Internet, creating original tracks that are immediately available for download. The interactive dance music format is based on the innovative multiplatform strand within Spanish TV entertainment hit ?The Anthill?, which has generated number one dance hits week after week. Endemol has partnered with the format owner 7Yaccion to develop Plan B for the international market.