Ciao Darwin evolves with US, French deals

Italian gameshow format Ciao Darwin has been picked up for local production in both the US and France, with another deal being finalised in Australia, distributor Distraction Formats has announced.

ABC Studios in the US and Endemol France have both licensed the format, adding to previous deals with Vietnamese broadcaster Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV), TVN Poland, TVR Romania, Hungary’s TV2 and French-Canadian networks TVA and SRC.

Greece’s Antenna TV has also taken the Ciao Darwin format and has started its own production, with the aim to have it on the air this spring. An Australian licence deal is “imminent,” according to a Distraction rep.

“We’ve had Ciao Darwin in our catalogue for five years and its rise to international success has been gradual, but now we are seeing it reach its true potential and we can foresee a bright future for this format,” said Michel Rodrigue, CEO of Distraction.

Devised by RTI Mediaset and picked up for international distribution by Distraction in 2002, the format first aired on Canale5 in Italy and wrapped its fifth season in January, raking in an average market share of 23% and peaking at 25%.

The show involves two teams of 50 contestants competing in a comedy take on natural selection. The format pits men against women, old against young, blondes against brunettes etc to see who will survive.