CBS orders Nigel Lythgoe pilot

US network CBS has commissioned a pilot episode of Turkish gameshow format Keep Your Light Shining, attaching former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe to the project.

Lythgoe (So You Think you Can Dance) joins Jennifer Bresnan, Jeff Collins and Michael Hammond as exec producers on the show, to be known locally as In The Spotlight.

Turkish distributor Global Agency launched the original format at Mipcom 2013 and has since optioned it into Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, MENA region, Spain, Thailand and the USA.

Details have not yet been released, but the project will reportedly feature musical performances with a fresh take on competition.

In The Spotlight is being produced by US-based Kalen Productions and Collins Avenue Entertainment.

The order marks a change of unscripted strategy for CBS, which until now has mostly focused on comedy and reality shows including Survivor and The Amazing Race, both of which have been re-cently renewed.