Nat Geo marks US first for Sky Vision

National Geographic Channel in the US has acquired an entertainment format from UK-based distributor Sky Vision, marking its first such sale into America.

Duck Quacks Don’t Echo (15×60’ and 15×30’), currently in the works for UK channel Sky1, sees three celebs challenged to come up with outrageous facts that are then tested in the studio and rated by a panel of experts. Stunts include testing whether a human can stick to a ceiling and if dogs start yawning when humans do.

Sky Vision, the distribution arm of UK satcaster Sky, is selling both format and finished programme rights for the UK and US versions of the show in all territories. The British version has been slated for 2014 and is being produced by Magnum Media. No date or production partner has yet been set for the Nat Geo version.

Sky Vision commercial director Connie Hodson, who will be launching the show at Mipcom, described it as a “fusion of science, entertainment and fun.”

The company also has comedy drama Doll & Em (6×30′) on its slate in Cannes, along with dating format Its Love Actually (10×30′), which recently sold into Scandinavia.