Married at First Sight Being Adapted in South Africa

NEW YORK: Lifetime in Africa has commissioned its own version of Married at First Sight, which will be produced by Oxyg3n Media.

The commission for a 6×1-hour series follows A+E Networks’s success with Four Weddings South Africa, Lifetime’s first order for the African market, which performed 128-percent above the DStv slot average. The local Married at First Sight series will premiere on Lifetime on DStv in early 2017.

The format, represented by Red Arrow International, has been produced in more than 25 countries worldwide.

Heather Jones, A+E’s senior VP of content and creative, said: “We’re delighted to announce a local version of this hugely successful international format. The U.S. version of Married at First Sight is one of the best-performing A+E Networks shows in the African market. So we have high expectations for this local series, which will be a great addition to our very popular wedding content scheduled on Lifetime in Africa.’’

Bo Stehmeier, the senior VP of global sales at Red Arrow International, said: “It’s great news that Married at First Sight is heading to Africa on Lifetime. The show is a hit wherever it travels and is one of the most talked-about formats of the decade. We can’t wait to see this brand-new version.”

Oxyg3n Media’s Rebecca Fuller Campbell added: “We are delighted to be working with A+E Networks on this Red Arrow original. We have no doubt that this will be a very special series for African audiences. This is a truly innovative social experiment for those dedicated to finding love.”