EXCLUSIVE: May well-known comedians be about to play some ball on ITV?
Deadline understands ITV has put in early growth a model of Dutch format Let’s Play Ball, by which rival groups of comedians go head-to-head in a race to move a huge ball throughout numerous terrains. Dealing with bodily puzzles alongside the way in which, every episode of the Ninja Warrior-esque format will see the groups navigate different landscapes. The present might be tailor-made to every territory by benefiting from that territory’s landmarks, so anticipate to see the enormous ball making its manner throughout Tower Bridge, or possibly rolling up Arthur’s Seat. Produced by Banijay-backed Final One Laughing UK makers Preliminary and Zeppotron, Let’s Play Ball is in early growth within the UK and there’s no assure it can make it to display.
Let’s Play Ball is without doubt one of the greatest exhibits to come back out of the codecs hub of the Netherlands in current months. That model from Talpa began out on YouTube, the place it was hosted by well-liked YouTubers StukTV and landed greater than 1.2 million views. It then broke out on Dutch broadcaster SBS6. Banijay exec James Townley lately advised us the distributor is in talks with a number of consumers over worldwide variations of Let’s Play Ball.
If Let’s Play Ball will get greenlit, will probably be the newest in a line of current exhibits by which celebrities battle it out in enjoyable settings. ITV can also be making The Field, hosted by Gary Lineker, which sees celebs packed in yellow containers and despatched to completely different places, the place they face bodily and psychological challenges. Prime Video, in the meantime, is onto its second season of the hit Final One Laughing UK, which additionally comes from Preliminary and Zeppotron.
Let’s Play Ball additionally shares some DNA with Vacation spot X, the hit Belgian guessing recreation format that has simply launched within the UK and U.S.
Let’s Play Ball was a Deadline International Breakout over the summer season. At that time, Banijay exec Sil Geurtsen stated it’s a good instance of how producers can finest leverage YouTube. If ITV proceeds with Let’s Play Ball, the community could wish to benefit from the content material creator panorama.
ITV declined touch upon the event.
