
Will Arnett, Lip Sync Battle - H 2015
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Viacom-owned U.K. broadcaster Channel 5 has greenlit a British version of U.S. hit show Lip Sync Battle, which airs on the company’s Spike network.
The U.K. broadcaster, which has been known for airing U.S. drama but has been working on a creative rebranding, said the show order marks its “most ambitious primetime entertainment commission under Viacom’s ownership.”
Channel 5 director of programs Ben Frow has ordered eight half-hour episodes that will be produced by Whizz Kid Entertainment. Hosting and performing talent will be announced later. The show is expected to premiere in the U.K. in early 2016.
“There is a great buzz around Lip Sync Battle – it’s one of the most talked-about and fought-over formats in the world of TV right now,” said Frow. “We’re excited that our developing relationship with Spike in the U.S. has made a U.K. version of the show possible and look forward to bringing entertainment back to the heart of Channel 5 primetime.”
The series is the most-watched original series in Spike’s history, averaging nearly 3 million viewers. The network has ordered 20 more episodes for 2016.
Channel 5 and Spike also collaborated on the launch of Spike UK, which debuted in April with a mix of Channel 5 factual output and Spike entertainment content, including the original U.S. version of Lip Sync Battle. Channel 5 has also acquired the U.K. rights to Spike mini-series Tut, which premiered in the U.K. on Saturday.
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Viacom closed its $725 million acquisition of Channel 5 last fall.
Twitter: @georgszalai
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