Dubai’s Eagle swoops on Candy Crush

Lionsgate has agreed a deal with a producer in MENA to remake its gameshow format based on the mobile game Candy Crush.

The TV version of Candy Crush made its debut on CBS

Dubai-based Eagle Films has taken the rights to the format, with Beelink Productions producing. The 13×60′ Arabic version is expected to go into production later this year but broadcaster details are yet to be revealed.

The show is based on the mobile game that sees players match colourful candies in combinations of three or more to win points. The TV show features teams of two using their wits and physical agility to compete on giant interactive game boards.

The series (10×60′) originally aired on CBS in the US earlier this month, with its premiere attracting an averaged of 4.05 million viewers.

It was created and executive produced by Matt Kunitz, in association with Lionsgate and the game’s owner, King Ltd. Lionsgate sells both the finished US version and the format globally.

The MENA deal was brokered by Lionsgate’s Ted Bookstaver, who joined the company as senior VP of alternative programming sales last year.

Candy Crush is one of a number of mobile games to be adapted for TV. Fox has aired Beat Shazam, based on the music-identifying app, while last week MGM Television partnered with mobile game creator Zynga to develop a TV version of its hit Words With Friends app.