Endemol set to 'wipeout' UK, Spain, Holland and Israel

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | London
Endemol International has secured deals in four more key territories for its latest Wipeout, bringing the total so far to seventeen.

BBC One in the UK, Telecinco in Spain, RTL4 in the Netherlands and Channel 10 in Israel are the latest broadcasters to acquire the format. All four will run their series in prime time slots with transmission dates set for either late 2008 or early 2009.

Over recent months Wipeout has been swept up by broadcasters around the world. ProSieben in Germany and MBC in the Middle East are also among those that have commissioned it and Nine Network in Australia has bought both the format and the ready made US series.

Wipeout has already been picked up for a second season on ABC in the USA where it made its world debut in June and is the number one show of Summer 2008 within the key 18-49 demographic. The US version has also become number one in Australia on Tuesday nights with an average of 1.43 million viewers for the first run episodes aired so far on Nine Network.

Annelies Noest, director, sales, Endemol International, comments, "The speed with which Wipeout has been selling globally is quite phenomenal. It's success in the US and Australia has intensified the rush to acquire the format and this international roll out looks set to continue."

The BBC One version of Wipeout is being produced by Initial (part of Endemol UK), Telecinco's version is being produced by Endemol Spain, RTL4's series will be made by Endemol Netherlands and Channel 10 will be in charge of the Israeli production.

All productions of the format will be located at Endemol's newly built international set for Wipeout in Argentina, the world's biggest TV obstacle course. The only exception is ABC's series which is being made in the US, produced by Endemol USA.

Wipeout is a truly action-packed competition game show that sees contestants from all walks of life compete for a grand cash prize in grueling and hilarious rounds across extreme obstacle courses. Packed with muscle, grit, entertainment, action, impact and spectacular wipeouts, this really is survival of the fittest.