VIS Pacts with Korea’s Something Special

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ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) has reached a deal with Jin Woo Hwang’s Korean production outfit Something Special as it looks to expand its output from Asia.

Under the terms of the arrangement, VIS will have the exclusive first-look rights to represent and co-develop up to ten non-scripted and factual-entertainment formats from Something Special. These will include shows in the music competition, food and cuisine, game show and reality genres, tapping into Something Special’s talent stable, which includes creatives involved in such shows as Korea’s Got Talent, 1 vs. 100 Korea, Society Game, The Code, I Can See Your Voice, The Voice Korea, Running Man and Crime Scene. VIS will look for partners across the region to co-produce the selected formats.

“The partnership with Something Special is testament to our commitment to strengthening our global footprint in Asia, which we began last year with collaboration between VIS Kids, Nickelodeon International and iQIYI for the global animated series Deer Squad,” said JC Acosta, president of ViacomCBS International Studios and Networks Americas. “As a first step towards the creation of a production hub in the market, Korea provides an outstanding business environment, and some of the best creative talent in the world, which perfectly positions us to capitalize on the growing demand for premium international content.”

“We are thrilled and honored to collaborate with ViacomCBS International Studios for this first-look deal for up to ten formats, accelerating our global expansion,” added Hwang, founder, president and executive producer at Something Special. “With some of our freshest formats, from the finest Korean creative minds, we strongly believe this partnership will provide new hits for an international audience. Something Special continues our mission to bring the best of Asian creativity and content to the world.”