ITV Global Lands Commission, Renewal in Slovenia

BUDAPEST: PRO PLUS in Slovenia has commissioned the production of 120 episodes of the ITV Global Entertainment format Come Dine with Me, together with the renewal of its entertainment and Hollywood movies output deal.

PRO PLUS, which operates POP TV and Kanal A, has acquired an extensive portfolio of ITV Global Entertainment’s Hollywood TV movies, including Mrs Washington Goes to Smith, Never Surrender, Christmas Hope and Crimes of Fashion: Hostile Makeover. PRO PLUS has also commissioned Come Dine with Me, making Slovenia the 14th country to produce the ITV-owned format locally. Production will begin on the 120×30-minute series, which follows amateur chefs competing against each other in hosting a dinner party, in July, premiering in access prime time this fall.

Jennifer Ebell, the sales executive for Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics at ITV Global Entertainment, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing the renewal of the PRO PLUS output deal, together with the major commission of Come Dine with Me. We’re confident that the new production will delight viewers and quickly establish itself as one of Slovenia’s biggest shows, similar to its unrivalled success in Turkey, Germany, France and the U.K.”

Branko Carakmis, the program director at PRO PLUS, added, “It is important these days to have shows that really resonate with an audience; have high production values and are affordable to produce. Come Dine with Me is a proven success story—and certainly fits the bill on all counts. We’re looking forward to producing this hit show locally for Slovenian viewers.”

Tobi de Graaff, the director global TV distribution at ITV Global Entertainment, commented: “Eastern Europe is a dynamic and fast evolving television market, a region which is core to ITV Global’s ongoing distribution strategy. In the past year local broadcasters have been acquiring thousands of hours of original, high-quality drama and entertainment from us. It’s certainly a very exciting time for all of us and we’re looking forward to announcing even more news from the region very soon.”