Viacom picks up MBC's Robot Wars format

In the US, Viacom has picked up the programme and the format to Robot Wars, the Mentorn Barraclough Carey show aired in the UK by BBC2.

The UK show plus a reversion for the US market are both destined for Viacom-owned channels MTV, Nickeodeon and TNN.

The UK show, produced by MBC company TV21, involves robots, built by members of the public, fighting each other in an arena.

The news came as the UK's Television Corporation, owners of MBC, posted full-year pre-tax profits of £4.6m (US$6.7m) for 2000, up from £3.8m ($5.5m) in 1999.