SIC engages with NENT marriage format

SIC’s Don’t Tell the Bride will be the 19th adaptation of the format

Portuguese broadcaster SIC has acquired the rights to produce a local version of a British wedding format from NENT Studios UK.

In each episode of Don’t Tell the Bride, a couple is given a set sum of money to pay for their wedding day. However, every element of the big day, from the venue and wedding dress to flowers and favours, must be handled in secret by the groom in just three weeks.

SIC’s version is entering pre-production to capitalise on the easing of lockdown restrictions in the territory.

The broadcaster has also just acquired season 14 (15×60’) of the original UK programme, produced by Renegade for E4, as well as 27 episodes of the Irish version, produced by Coco Television for RTÉ. SIC previously licensed seasons six to 13 of the UK edition.

Additionally, season 14 of Don’t Tell the Bride UK has also recently been picked up by TV2 in Norway.

Following earlier format deals in countries such as China, Australia, France, South Africa and the US, the latest agreement will result in Don’t Tell the Bride’s 19th local adaptation.

The show was previously distributed by DRG, which recently folded into parent company NENT’s UK operation, with former DRG CEO Richard Halliwell stepping up to take overall control.

Lucy Roberts, senior sales manager at NENT Studios UK, was responsible for licensing the format to SIC. She said: “This latest deal for Don’t Tell the Bride further endorses its status as an evergreen and universal format that readily transcends borders and cultures to entertain audiences.

“It has been a pleasure to work with SIC in getting this deal up and running so quickly and to also ensure it has ready-made episodes to broadcast while the Portuguese version is in production.”

The original UK version of the format started on BBC3 in the UK in 2007. The show moved to BBC1 for six episodes and then to Sky1, before arriving on E4 in 2017.