CETV Teams with Swedish Outfit for New Game Show

BEIJING, July 25: The
Swedish production company Bringiton is developing a new shopping-based game
show for the Mandarin-language channel China Entertainment Television (CETV),
marking the broadcaster’s first acquisition of a title from a Western European
firm.

Launched in 2001, the channel, today owned by the Hong
Kong’s TOM Group, was the first foreign satellite television channel to gain
landing rights in Guangdong, China, on cable platforms.

The show, titled Big Time Spender, features 32 contestants who will be given
predetermined budgets, a time limit, and various shopping challenges of
increasing difficulty. It will take place in 12 distinct Chinese cities.
Contestants will be judged on their aesthetic and price sense, familiarity of
consumer goods, and knowledge of the cultures and customs of the various
locales.

A victory in the competition will not only let contestants
keep everything they’ve shopped for, but also allow them to progress into the
final round. The final episode, set in Hong Kong, will allow contestants to
compete for HK$1 million in prizes.

Broadcast in Mandarin, the show will be hosted by Jacky Wu
and CETV’s Bin Yang. Judges include leading artists and entertainers from
throughout China.

Casting is currently underway. Broadcast details have not
yet been revealed.