Debmar-Mercury Takes U.S. Rights for Hell’s Kitchen

SANTA MONICA: Debmar-Mercury has picked up the domestic distribution rights for ITV Studios’ U.S. series Hell’s Kitchen, which is returning to FOX this fall in its eighth season.

The show watches as chef Gordon Ramsay puts aspiring chefs through a rigorous culinary bootcamp. The Hell’s Kitchen deal marks the third pairing between Debmar-Mercury and ITV Studios this year. The two are also collaborating on the development of the syndicated panel show The Chefs and a new U.S. first-run version of the British chat show The Jeremy Kyle Show.

“What is so striking about this phenomenal series is its enduring strength,” said Ira Bernstein, Debmar-Mercury co-president. “It is a proven performer that we strongly believe has the potential to play across a variety of dayparts in off-network syndication.”

Mort Marcus, fellow co-president, commented, “We are excited to see our relationship grow with an ideal partner like ITV Studios. Its series have the unique ability to cut through the clutter, resonate with viewers and—perhaps most importantly—show enormous staying power.”