Fremantle & ViacomCBS Pact for Tough As Nails Format

Fremantle and ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group have signed a multi-territory format deal for the CBS original series Tough As Nails.

Fremantle will take the format rights in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the U.K. The competition series celebrates everyday working-class men and women, putting them through tests of strength, endurance, agility, mental toughness and life skills in challenges that take place at real job sites.

Rob Clark, director of global entertainment at Fremantle, said: “This is a reality show for 2020 and beyond. Tough As Nails makes heroes of the real people who keep our countries running, and now more than ever it’s important for us all to recognize our essential workers. This format has everything—competition, tension, jeopardy, emotion and drama. The ratings on CBS were absolutely stellar, and we have had a lot of interest in the show and look forward to launching it through our production network around the world.”

“We look forward to introducing more audiences to the Tough As Nails format in Europe, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Asia and India,” said Paul Gilbert, senior VP of formats at ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. “This heartwarming format honors working-class men and women, which is relatable to viewers around the world and is crucial in the current global climate.”