Upgrade to Make North American Debut

TEL AVIV: The Armoza Formats game show Upgrade is to debut in Canada on channel V on February 1, with a commission for a full 14-episode season.

The Canadian treatment is being produced by La Presse Tele. It will be hosted by Pierre Hebert, to be aired in weekly installments at 7 p.m. throughout the spring season. The show is being produced in partnership with sponsor Leon’s, a furniture chain in French Canada.

Upgrade debut on a number of channels in 2010, including Norway’s TV2, two seasons on Romania’s Prima TV, Turkey’s Show TV and Georgia’s Imedi TV. Upgrade is also in commissioning talks in several other territories, including the U.S., Russia and India.

Avi Armoza, the CEO of Armoza Formats, said, "Following its successful debut season on Norway’s TV2, we’re thrilled to continue the brand’s global success in North America with our partners La Presse Tele and V. In addition, bringing on board sponsorship partner Leon’s is further proof that Upgrade is the perfect blend of commercial and popular success for a network. We look forward to starting off the year with a success in Canada and continuing ahead to future broadcasts throughout 2011."