Catch Phrase Optioned in China, the Americas

Global Road Entertainment has optioned Catch Phrase in North America, Latin America and China in a deal with DRG that could bring the show back to U.S. TV screens for the first time in 30 years.

Based on a format created by Pasetta Productions and Steven Radosh, Catch Phrase had an initial run in syndication in the U.S. in 1985 and ’86. The format has been a mainstay of ITV in the U.K. for more than 20 years, with its rebooted version being renewed for a sixth time by ITV last month, in addition to a commission for a further eight episodes and two celebrity specials. Catch Phrase pits three contestants against each other, challenging them to identify well-known phrases and sayings contained in animated picture puzzles to win cash prizes.

Phil Gurin, four-time Emmy Award-winning producer and president of unscripted and alternative at Global Road Entertainment, commented, “Catch Phrase is a gem of a format: it is brilliantly simple, highly visual and has great play-a-long for the whole family. We are delighted to have struck this deal with DRG and can’t wait to start taking Catch Phrase out in the North and South American territories that we know so well, as well as into China. We believe Catch Phrase has a great deal of potential and with the right broadcaster, there is no reason why the U.K. success could not be replicated elsewhere.”

Richard Halliwell, CEO of DRG, added: “Catch Phrase is one of the most enduring game-show formats on air today and we are very lucky to have Global Road’s support and commitment, and Phil Gurin’s format expertise in particular, in taking this show into these major markets. Global Road is an exciting business to partner with and I’d like to think that this might be the first of many titles that we could look to develop together.”