Format Deals Pick Up in China

BEIJING, March 12: The format
market in China is heating up, with Hunan Satellite TV said to be working on an
adaptation of Betty la fea, while Idea
Asia is developing a version of Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI)
Blackjack Bowling to pitch to
local broadcasters.

Hunan is expected to produce
400 episodes over five seasons under the title Invincible Ugly Woman, with a budget of $21 million. This won’t be the
first Asian adaptation of the hit novela—the show was a huge success in
India on SET, where it aired as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin.

Hunan is becoming a significant
partner for Western format companies. Granada, for example, has a deal with the
Chinese broadcaster for Saturday Night Takeaway. Super 2008: Friday Night Takeaway launched in January. FremantleMedia worked with
Hunan on Soccer Prince, while BBC
scored a slot for Strictly Come Dancing.

Meanwhile, Asia Global Holdings Corporation’s subsidiary
Idea Asia has optioned the SPTI format Blackjack Bowling, which has fared well in Taiwan on STAR Chinese
Channel.

—By Mansha Daswani