Endemol Scores CEE Sales

CANNES: Endemol has firmed up a number of deals across Central and Eastern Europe for local versions of some of its hit formats, which will be produced by its regional operation Weit Media Moscow.

Wipeout has been commission for a pan-regional version by TVN in Poland, Nova TV in the Czech Republic, Markiza TV in Slovakia, Inter Channel in Ukraine and ONT in Belarus. The ten-episode series will see contestants from all five territories compete across the show’s extreme obstacle course, to be filed at the global production hub in Argentina. 

XXS landed a commission for a ten-episode first season on Inter Channel. The local Ukrainean treatment will be filed at the production hub in Argentina. TV3 in Russia plans to produce a local version of the Jerry Seinfeld format The Marriage Ref, while a first run of 8 Out of 10 Cats is planned for CTC Networks in Russia. 

All of these new commissions will be produced by Weit Media, which Endemol acquired a controlling share of in March 2010. The outfit is led by Russian producer Timur Weinstein.

Marina Williams, the CEO of Central and Eastern European Operations at Endemol Group, commented: “These deals underline the strength and ongoing growth of our business in Central and Eastern Europe. They are great examples of Endemol leveraging both its network and its portfolio of global hits, whilst securing valuable partnerships with leading broadcasters across the region.”