Portuguese commercial broadcaster SIC and new Finnish free-to-air channel FOX have both commissioned local adaptations of NBCUniversal’s weight-loss dance challenge format Dance Your Ass Off (DYAO). These deals follow NBCU’s recent sale of the format to China’s ZheJiang Satellite TV, as well as international versions recently airing in Estonia on TV3 Viasat, in Denmark on TV2 and South Africa on MNet.
DYAO is an Oxygen (US cable channel, part of NBCUniversal) original series, which debuted in 2009 to become the highest rated show on the channel. The format features overweight people regaining control of their life and weight by immersing themselves into a strict dance and fitness routine. One contestant is eliminated each week based on a combination of a dance score given by a panel of celebrity judges and the amount of weight they have lost.
Yvonne Pilkington, SVP of Formats and Production at NBCUniversal International, commented: “Having simultaneous series orders from two opposite corners of Europe highlight the format’s ability to transcend cultures and entertain all types of audiences. DYAO definitely has a lot of good momentum going for it, and we look forward to partnering with broadcasters around the world to tailor DYAO to their audiences.”
Both new versions are currently in pre-production and will air in September in their respective countries. Portuguese prodco FremantleMedia will make 14x90min of DYAO for local broadcaster SIC.
Luis Marques, General Manager of SIC, said: “We are excited to bring this format to Portugal. It's a very entertaining show that will keep families glued to the television, and I have no doubt that it will be a success on Sunday nights.”
The show will be the first original production for the newly-founded FOX Finland, which has ordered 10x60min originals and 10x30min repeats of the show. The production will be a collaboration between Metronome Film and Television, Finland and Ruut, Estonia, utilising the existing set and know-how from the Estonian production in Tallinn.
Mikko Silvennoinen, Director of Broadcast for Fox International Channels Finland, added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing this international hit format to Finland. DYAO combines both fun and tough exercise, but also takes audiences through the journey of these contestants’ lives. We are very much looking forward to making a show with lots of colourful personalities!”
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NBCUniversal Formats is the International Sales division for all Formats created within the production and broadcast divisions of NBCUniversal. The slate encompasses Reality, Lifestyle, Entertainment and Scripted formats from NBC, Bravo, Oxygen, Syfy, E!, Style, G4, Monkey Kingdom, Chocolate and Carnival.
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