U.S. Version of BBQ Champ in the Works

LONDON: U.S. producer Ugly Brother Studios has picked up the format rights to BBQ Champ following a deal with Whizz Kid Entertainment and Man vs Food star Adam Richman’s production company, County of Kings.

Richman would potentially star in the U.S. adaptation of the show. The announcement follows a succession of international acquisitions for the U.K. version featuring Richman, which has sold into New Zealand, Asia, Italy and Canada. A local version of the format has also been produced for SBT in Brazil. Those deals were secured by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, which holds the distribution rights outside of the U.S.

“We’re delighted to partner with Mike and Tim at Ugly Brother to develop the U.S. version of BBQ Champ,” said Whizz Kid’s CEO, Malcolm Gerrie. “With Adam bringing his encyclopedic knowledge of all things BBQ back to the format, we’re confident the show will resonate with U.S. broadcasters.”

“Every culture on Earth has its version of barbecue or cooking over wood, fire and charcoal,” Richman said. “Not only does this make BBQ Champ incredibly accessible, but we also continually aim to show that there is so much more out there to barbecue than what one normally thinks. We’ll encourage viewers to use the skills they see on TV at home and demonstrate how the typical smoker and grill barbecue setup can be used to create dishes one normally doesn’t associate with the barbecue, such as cocktails and desserts.”

“It’s harder and harder to find an international format that will resonate Stateside,” said Mike Duffy, co-bro at Ugly Brother. “Barbeque is arguably America’s signature cuisine. Working with Malcolm, Lisa Chapman and Adam, we’re intent on making the definitive American BBQ competition series.”