TOWIE makes it in China

All3Media has shopped scripted reality series The Only Way is Essex to China, with a local version now on Hunan TV.

The 18x45mins Chinese version of the show is being produced by Hunan and its Mango TV division alongside local indie prodco Zhang Hong.

The deal comes as All3Media preps a new Asian sales base as part of a restructure of its international division.

The Discovery Communications- and Liberty Global-owned company announced several other Asian format deals this morning, coinciding with the start of the ATF market in Singapore.

It has also shopped its gameshow format Are You Normal? To Vietnamese free TV broadcaster VTV and a 52x60mins version will launch in early 2016 with Blue Ocean Communication Advertising Corporation on production duty.

Elsewhere in the region, a local Cash Cab has been ordered by AXN in the Philippines, where a 26x30mins series will be made by Active TV for launch next year. This closely follows Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia’s commission of the format in the Philippines.

Sabrina Duguet, currently senior VP international format sales at All3, will transition to a new role running the new Asian sales office.

Speaking about the new format deals she said: “As the success of localised versions of international formats continues to build in Asia, the demand for new and innovative ideas from across the world is growing at a fast rate, as proven by this diverse range of new commissions.”