BBCWW cuts first Tumble deals

Romania has become the first country to buy the Tumble gymnastics format.

BBC Worldwide launched the show at MIPCOM and CME Programming has now acquired the show for its free-to-air Romanian channel Pro TV.

The UK version of Tumble, the shiny-floor show in which celebrities are trained in gymnastic disciplines, counts Romanian star gymnast Nadia Comăneci among its judges. The Olympic star will also front the Romanian version when it launches on Pro TV next year.

Comăneci was at MIPCOM to promote the format, as TBI reported before the market.

BBC Worldwide has also struck a Chinese deal for the format with United Media optioning it for the country.

Grant Welland executive VP CEMA, BBC Worldwide said: “It seems only fitting that Romania, known for producing some of the world’s greatest ever gymnasts, including Nadia, will be bringing the format to local audiences first.”

Aleksandras Cesnavicius, CEO of Pro TV, part of the CME Group, said: “We are delighted to sign the agreement for the rights to this TV show and we consider Romanians the perfect audience considering the country’s legacy in gymnastics and the pool of talents Romania has in the sport. ”