 | Press ReleasesBBC One commissions UK version of international hit Wipeout |
BBC One has commissioned Initial, an Endemol company, to produce a UK edition of the latest global blockbuster Wipeout. The series is a truly action-packed competition game show. Contestants from all walks of life compete for a grand cash prize in a series of gruelling and hilarious rounds across extreme obstacle courses. Wipeout sets competitors some of the toughest and most physically demanding challenges ever created. The show is packed with muscle, grit, entertainment, action, impact and spectacular wipeouts. Elaine Bedell, BBC Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, says: "This is a funny, challenging, physical game show – and will be a welcome addition to the very great variety of entertainment shows we offer the BBC One family audience." Initial's Creative Director Nick Samwell-Smith adds: "The Wipeout format delivers prime-time family entertainment and the UK audience is going to love every minute of this high octane new show. "There will be breathtaking thrills and spills on one of the biggest, most extraordinary obstacle courses ever built." Endemol's latest international format Wipeout made its world debut this June on ABC in the USA where it has become the summer's number one show in the key 18-49 demograhic. ABC has now commissioned an even bigger run with 16 episodes due to air in 2009. The US version of Wipeout has also become the Tuesday night number one in Australia on Nine Network. So far the format has been sold to 17 countries including Australia, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and The Middle East. The BBC show – 8 x 60-minute programmes launching early 2009 – will be produced at Endemol's newly-built international set for Wipeout in Argentina, the world's largest TV obstacle course. The location is also home to all the other local versions of the format apart from the American edition, which is being produced in the USA. The Executive Producer is Andy Rowe from Initial. The Commissioning Editor for BBC One is Mark Linsey. RL | 
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