by Thinus Ferreira
At a M-Net showcase event this afternoon for ad buyers Waldimar Pelser, director of M-Net premium channels, revealed that the call to entry earlier this year for a new adventure reality show on kykNET (DStv 144) was for an Afrikaans adaptation of the reality franchise The Bridge which will be on the channel as Die Brug.
At MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales event, an annual event courting ad buyers, M-Net said that Die Brug will be the 11th adaptation of the reality franchise worldwide.
The Bridge is an original Banijay format, created by Zeppelin, with the winner getting R1 million after they have to work together to build a bridge, several hundred metres long, to an island.
Die Brug will air on kykNET (DStv 144) from Thursday 26 October at 20:00 for 11 episodes.
"The
Bridge is not just a show, it's a global phenomenon that captures the
interest of viewers around the world," says Waldimar Pelser in a statement.
"We are thrilled to be producing the local
version of this hit franchise, bringing together the best South African talent,
and showcasing our beautiful landscapes to create a series that will have
audiences at the edge of their seats."
According to MultiChoice the format adaptation agreement was brokered by Robin Pollok, vice president of sales of Banijay Rights for
Africa, Middle East, Greece and Israel.
In a prepared supplied quote Robin Pollak states that "The Bridge
delivers a high-stakes reality competition packed with gripping challenges, in
a breath-taking location that has proven to be popular with audiences around
the world".
"We are excited to watch this incredible show travel to new horizons
and license a format with kykNET for the first time. We are certain that
viewers in South Africa will be equally captivated when it makes its debut."
