Lebanese broadcaster Murr Television (MTV) will become the first channel in the Arab world to produce its own version of worldwide format hit Dancing with the Stars.

After two years of discussions with rights holder BBC Worldwide (BBCWW), MTV has secured a two-season deal to air the format, with the first beginning in October this year.

It will be produced locally by Iprod, which was initially approached to develop the format for Arab audiences before MTV was brought on board.

Cynthia Kennedy, senior sales exec with BBCWW’s formats licensing team, said: “Dancing with the Stars is a format that needs no introduction; in the Arab world, however, there are unique cultural sensitivities that made it difficult to persuade broadcasters to produce a local version with local stars.”

Dancing with the Stars has previously been adapted in more than 40 countries, including Panama ^[1], South Korea ^[2] and Turkey ^[3].

The Lebanon sale was confirmed as BBCWW published its annual report, which revealed a 31.8% increase in headline sales at its content and production arm to £135.5m (US$210.4m). Headline profit grew by nearly a third year-on-year, to £10.5m.

The results reflect a strong performance by the US version of Dancing with the Stars, which airs on ABC, as well as the delivery of Starz coproduction Torchwood: Miracle Day, alongside US shows such as Hairy Bikers and the second season of Top Gear on History.

BBCWW’s French production office saw revenue growth of 60%. It produced a second season of Danse Avec Les Stars on TF1 as well as The Week the Women Went, which spawned two specials for France 2.

The Indian version of Dancing with the Stars, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, was commissioned by entertainment channel Colors for two years while youth-skewing Channel V also ordered a local version of BBCWW format My Big Decision.

The past year also saw Lonely Planet TV join BBCWW’s content and production division and secure its first two commissions. BBCWW Channels ordered Year of Adventure and US cablenet Travel Channel greenlit Best Parks Ever.

For BBCWW’s overall financial results, click here ^[4]. To read about its programme sales, digital and channels performance, click here ^[5].