Whose Line is it Anyway? Adapted for the Middle East

Hat Trick International has landed a format deal for Whose Line is it Anyway? to be adapted for the Middle East, marking the first-ever version to be produced in the Arabic language.

Commissioned by TeN TV from Cairo-based Global Productions, the local adaptation will comprise 14 episodes. The series is now in production to debut in December this year to audiences across Arabic-speaking Middle East as part of TeN TV’s prime-time lineup.

This new deal adds to the other 13 international adaptations for Whose Line is it Anyway?, including Australia (Foxtel), Finland (MTV3), Holland (BNN-Vara) and Vietnam (Dong Tay Promotion).

Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick International, commented, “Whose Line is it Anyway? offers a fantastically adaptable format that gives local broadcasters the opportunity to produce an entertaining, topical and hilarious primetime show featuring the best comedy talent from their own region. I’m delighted to confirm this new landmark deal in the Middle East, which perfectly demonstrates the continued wide appeal of this evergreen favorite, whether as a format or as finished content.”

Ahmed Fahmy, managing director at Global Productions, said: “Since living in London almost 20 years ago, Whose Line Is it Anyway? has been my ‘to go’ TV show for pure, unadulterated humor, so it brings me great pleasure to bring one of the best British TV comedies to the Arabic-speaking world. The Hat Trick team have supported us every step of the way, including organizing an invaluable chat with the creator himself Dan Patterson. Now that we’ve completed shooting, I know we have a great show on our hands, developed from a format that would work very well in any territory and with any culture.”