China format deal for ITV

ITV has sealed a deal with Huace to remake one of its shows in China, and it will then sell the show outside of Asia.

Huace Film & TV will make the show for the Chinese market. It will proceed to sell the finished series within Asia.

Which show from the ITV catalogue gets remade is still being discussed.

The ITV-Huace deal builds upon an earlier agreement between the pair for a local version of entertainment format Dancing on Ice, which Huace will remake as Star on Ice in the lead-up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Mike Beale, executive VP of global development & formats for ITV Studios, said: “Much like the rest of the world, the demand for drama in Asia continues to grow, and our relationships with some of the world’s best producers and writers positions us perfectly to take advantage of this.”

Huace is working on several adaptations of local formats including one based on Keshet’s comedy drama series Loaded.

Another ITV company, Talpa, has had issues in China, taking legal action against former partner Star China in a dispute relating to The Voice.