Worst Driver to Be Adapted for China

LONDON/BEIJING: Passion Distribution and IPCN have concluded a deal with iQIYI that will see a local version of the format Worst Driver head to the Chinese streaming video platform.

While the reality format has been produced in more than 20 territories around the world, this marks the first time Worst Driver will be adapted in Asia. The 13-episode local version will be produced by Shanghai Media Group's (SMG) New Media Business Unit. It is set to premiere early next year on iQIYI. The show searches for the most horrific driver in the nation. It was originally produced by Mentorn Media for Channel 5 in the U.K. Passion Distribution distributes the format worldwide, as well as all versions of completed series.

Nick Tanner, the senior sales manager at Passion Distribution, stated, “I am thrilled to announce the arrival of Worst Driver at ATF 2015. The format has been a huge success in many territories around the world and now it’s China’s turn to unearth its very worst, and most hilarious, motorists. iQIYI has an enormous viewer base so it’s an exciting prospect that the format could potentially reach a new audience of many millions online.”

Jimmy Harmsen, the head of acquisitions at IPCN, said: “Worst Driver is a fun and entertaining format but also sends a very positive social message that encourages safe and orderly driving manners. The show has a great potential to generate debate on social media, which is imperative for us to consider when acquiring and licensing a format for an online platform.”

"SMG New Media Business Unit aims to produce inspirational shows that audiences care about,” added Lin Zhiqiang, the VP of SMG New Media Business Unit. “We think Worst Driver will bring audiences new viewer experiences and create great opportunities for SMG New Media Business.”