CBS will Drop the Mic in Cannes

CBS Studios International is taking Fulwell 73-created format Drop the Mic.

The show, originally for TBS in the US, was born out of The Late Late Show with James Corden, which also spawned Carpool Karaoke.

The rap battle format was originally a segment on the CBS talk show, but has been turned into a format for international buyers at MIPCOM after amassing more than 40 million YouTube views.

Each episode sees four celebrities pitted against each other in rap battles. The studio chooses a winner at the end.

“The unique mixture of comedy and music in Drop the Mic has won itself a legion of fans around the world,” said Paul Gilbert, senior VP of international formats, CBSSI. “We’re excited to offer broadcasters the opportunity to take this winning format, leverage the success of the existing segment and make it into their own.”

“Drop the Mic is such an exciting format,” said Ben Winston, executive producer of The Late Late Show, and co-director of production company Fulwell 73. “It can be cutting-edge comedy, but with a musical fun side. Every time it airs, it has become a massive viral moment. We know this will create some really memorable television around the world.”