Yahoo Autos ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’: ITV Studios Strikes 17th Territory Sale & Heads Out On U.S. Pitching Drive
EXCLUSIVE: ITV Studios has struck its 17th I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! territory sale and is heading out on a renewed U.S. pitching drive.
The Greek version of the 20-year-old format will launch on free-to-air network Skai TV in the autumn and be filmed in the Dominican Republic. Produced by Acun Medya, the series will follow the same format as the original, with a group of celebrities taken to a jungle where they compete in challenges and are slowly voted off by the public. Versions in French Canada, Hungary and Romania have been ordered of late, along with an All Stars spin-off in the UK.
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“The format’s ability to engage viewers across multiple platforms and consistently deliver high ratings shows its enduring appeal and entertainment value,” said Ruth Berry, ITV Studios’ MD of Global Partnerships.
“The big territory”
Speaking to Deadline, the outfit’s MD of Global Creative Networks Mike Beale said it is on a renewed drive to secure a U.S. commission of the show, which has never really taken off in the States.
“Obviously the big territory we want back is the U.S.,” Beale said, when questioned about where next. “It is definitely on our list.”
The jungle-based ITV Entertainment version currently being pitched to U.S. buyers is distinct from the ITV America and Blumhouse Television version titled Celebrity Castle pitched around 18 months ago, which would have played out in a castle featuring horror elements. This came after the UK version was moved from the Australian jungle to a Welsh castle during the pandemic, but it has since moved back to the jungle.
Beale suggested the “potential homes have grown” for a U.S. version now that the likes of Hulu and Amazon Prime Video are showing a keen interest in unscripted. Along with Come Dine with Me, he pointed out that I’m a Celebrity is one of ITV Studios’ few hit shows that isn’t currently airing across the pond, with U.S. versions of The Voice, Love Island and Hell’s Kitchen all performing well stateside.
Pitching to unscripted buyers in the U.S. has ratcheted up since the writers strike, which could usher in a new wave of unscripted formats to plug scheduling gaps, although Beale stressed that networks are proceeding with caution.
