‘Survivor’, one of the world’s most successful TV formats, is coming to the UK.
A new UK adaption of the entertainment phenomenon has been commissioned by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Banijay UK company
Remarkable Entertainment, run by leading entertainment producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe.
The brand new 16 x 60’ series of the ultimate physical and psychological gameshow promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor, BBC said in a media statement.
Twenty people, carefully selected from across the UK, will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of eliminations that will take place at the iconic tribal council, the tribes will eventually merge before one person takes away a cash prize and proves that they have what it takes to be the Ultimate Survivor.
‘Survivor’, a Banijay format created by Charlie Parsons, is one of the most watched reality entertainment formats around the world. Celebrating 25 years this year (the format was first employed in 1997 in Sweden), the show has gone on to be ranked as the ‘Number 1 Best Reality Show of All Time’ by Variety. Fifty versions have been commissioned around the world to date, and the CBS version of the show from the USA will soon be airing its 43rd series.
Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at the BBC said in a statement: “‘Survivor’ is a global television hit and to be able to bring one of TV’s most successful formats to audiences in the UK in a uniquely BBC way is a very exciting prospect indeed.”
Natalka Znak, CEO Remarkable Entertainment, said; “Survivor is ‘the greatest game show on earth’ for a reason — it has everything: reality, adventure, drama, and the ultimate game. I can’t wait to be boots on the ground, working with Paul Osborne, Stephen Lovelock and the fantastic team at Remarkable to make this epic series for the BBC.”
Broadcast confirmation, presenter information and further casting details for the UK version of ‘Survivor’ will be announced in due course.
Znak is Executive Producer alongside Claire O’Donohoe, Paul Osborne and Stephen Lovelock. The format was developed for the BBC by Richard Hague. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.