Tag Archives: Blind Date

Nigerian version of Dating Game ordered

Blind Date was revived on Channel 5

Nigerian broadcaster EbonyLife TV has commissioned a local version of Sony Pictures Television (SPT)’s relationship format The Dating Game.

EbonyLife TV is planning to produce the first ever African adaptation of the show this spring for debut later this year.

The Dating Game (aka Blind Date) offers hopeful singletons the chance to find love by putting questions to three out-of-sight potential suitors and picking the one whose answers attract them the most.

The format, which has been running since the 1960s, has been seeing something of a revival of late, having recently been commissioned by Network Ten in Australia, based on the UK version Blind Date.

Blind Date in the UK, produced by SPT-owned Stellify Media and ITV Studios-owned So Television, returned to UK screens last year on Channel 5, and has been recommissioned for a second season. Finnish broadcaster Nelonen and RTL in the Netherlands have also seen success with their local adaptations of the classic format, which now airs in over 25 countries.

EbonyLife TV recently picked up a raft of programming from distributor TVF, including Back2back Productions’ biographical series The Changing Face Of… and contemporary art series Brilliant Ideas (75×24’), produced by Bloomberg TV.

Last year, the Lagos-based network started production on Castle & Castle, which it claims to be Nigeria’s first ever legal drama series.

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EbonyLife, Sony agree drama pact

Nigerian broadcaster and producer EbonyLife has linked up with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) to co-develop three scripted projects.

Mo Abudu

The three-project deal, the first of its kind between SPT and a Nigerian television company, will include a TV series inspired by the Dahomey Warriors.

The action series, based on true events in the West African Kingdom of Dahomey, will tell the story of the all-female warriors. Details of the two additional projects will follow later this year, with SPT set to distribute all three internationally.

Mo Abudu, CEO at EbonyLife, said the partnership would allow it “to bring the fascinating story of The Dahomey Warriors, and many others like it, to audiences around the world.”

Wayne Garvie, president of international production at SPT, said: “Our aim is to help EbonyLife create a portfolio of African content that will fulfil their aim of being one of Africa’s prime creators of premium content.”

EbonyLife TV launched in 2013 and produces over 1000 hours of original programming each year, 80% of which belongs exclusively to the network.

Last month, the broadcaster commissioned a local version of SPT’s relationship format The Dating Game. It has also picked up a raft of programming from distributor TVF and last year started production on Castle & Castle, which it claims to be Nigeria’s first legal drama series.

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