FremantleMedia gets Punk’d

MIPFORMATS: FremantleMedia has acquired the global format rights (outside of North America) to hidden-camera reality show Punk’d and is launching it here in Cannes.

Fremantle scored the international rights from Katalyst Network, the US production company co-founded by Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher and producer Jason Goldberg, and Viacom-owned MTV.

The show originally launched on MTV in 2003, and features pranks played on unwitting celebrities and friends. Previous celebrity victims include Justin Timberlake, Jessica Alba, Kate Beckinsale, Katie Holmes, Zac Efron and John Cena.

“The timing is absolutely perfect to launch the Punk’d format globally. With all of the advances in cameras and technology, there is a huge amount that we can do with this show,” said Vasha Wallace, senior VP of global acquisitions and development at FremantleMedia.

Yesterday, C21 reported that Wallace had acquired competitive property format Who Lives Here? for global distribution. The format is from Canadian prodco 3Bird Media and is being produced for HGTV Network in the US and W Network in Canada.