GSN Orders Barter System Series 'Family Trade'

GSN's Amy Introcaso-Davis

GSN is getting into the barter business.

The cable network has picked up eight episodes of Family Trade, an original series exploring the barter business as employed by a Vermont car dealership.

The series will explore the Stone family's GMC and Ford dealership in Middlebury, Vermont, where founder Gardner Stone will trade a new car or truck for anything he thinks he can sell -- ranging from pigs, hot air balloons, coffins, dolls and a shoe collection.

The practice, however, isn't one that works well for Stone's son Todd and daughter, Darcy, who have different ideas of what makes for good business and are challenged with re-selling the assorted items their father collects in trade.

The half-hour series will be produced by Lionsgate and Eli Frankel's Rogue State Productions, with Frankel serving as exec producer.

“With Family Trade, GSN launches a new category of original series that we call Real-Life Games -- shows that take place in real settings and feature real-life risk and reward,” said Amy Introcaso-Davis, GSN EVP programming. “Games, competition and winners are all around us. So we’re taking the cameras out of the studio to celebrate how people become winners in everyday real-life situations.”

Added Lionsgate Television Group president Kevin Beggs: “Eli Frankel has once again delivered an entirely original concept, colorful characters, and a fantastic series engine in Family Trade. We are thrilled that GSN is giving us the chance to produce for their network and look forward to many episodes of Family Trade to come.”

The pickup comes as GSN is expanding its offerings beyond studio-based game shows, with its new slate of programming set to kick off Aug. 23 with the launch of The American Bible Challenge, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.