Ten to play Cram

L-R: Cram’s Virginia Gay, Peter Helliar and Dilruk Jayasinha

Australia’s Network Ten has become the first broadcaster to commission a weekly gameshow based on a new UK format.

ITV Studios Australia will produce Cram, which will see two teams of three comedians and celebrities test their memories across general knowledge and current affairs.

Each category will be introduced with a “cram,” a brief video on any subject from dogs to Leonardo da Vinci and jeans to Justin Bieber. The team that recalls the most facts in each video wins.

The format was created by ITV’s UK prodco Possessed, which has produced a pilot that has been pitched to UK broadcasters.

The Oz show will be hosted by comedian Peter Helliar, a regular on Network Ten’s nightly talkshow The Project. The teams will be captained by comedian Dilruk Jayasinha and actor/singer Virginia Gay.

Ten head of comedy Paul Leadon said: “The real joy of Cram is you can’t help but play along at home. It’s simple; all the facts are given to you, you just have to remember them. But with host Pete Helliar doing his best to make you laugh, remembering the facts can get a little tricky.”

ITV Studios Australia MD David Mott added: “This unique ITV Studios format is simply drop-dead funny. We’re witnessing a comedy resurgence in Australia and we’re confident that Cram will resonate with audiences of all ages.”

The show will premiere on Ten and the regional WIN network later this year. Parent Ten Network Holdings is in the hands of administrator KordaMentha, which is endeavouring to sell or recapitalise the company.

Two of Ten’s biggest shareholders, Lachlan Murdoch and WIN owner Bruce Gordon, have lodged a bid that is being examined by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.