WBITVP Announces LITTLE BIG SHOTS Commissions for UK and Spain

By: Apr. 04, 2016
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The LITTLE BIG SHOTS are coming to Europe. Kicking off the 2016 MIPTV market, Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) has set the first two international local production sales for the breakout U.S. hit unscripted comedy/variety series LITTLE BIG SHOTS , which debuted last month and was the most-watched alternative show launch on American television in more than six years. Executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres along with Steve Harvey, who serves as host, the U.S. version ranks as the #1 new series of any kind (scripted or unscripted) among Total Viewers on any network during the 2015-16 TV season to date.

WBITVP's first local production deal for LITTLE BIG SHOTS is in the UK, with ITV securing the rights to the British version of the show and ordering it straight to series. The UK version will be produced for ITV by Warner Bros. Television Production UK's Wall to Wall, producers of THE VOICE UK, with CEO Leanne Klein and Head of Entertainment Andy Rowe overseeing the production.

Mike Darnell, President, Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television, said: "Little Big Shots is that rare show that has become an instantaneous hit and a true phenomenon in the U.S. I am incredibly excited that ITV has commissioned the show in the United Kingdom. With their amazing roster of the biggest shiny floor productions in the country, they are truly the perfect home."

In addition to the ITV sale in the UK, WBITVP has struck an agreement with Mediaset to create a local-language version of the show in Spain. Under the terms of the agreement, WBITVP in Spain will produce the primetime series.

Andrew Zein, Senior Vice President, Creative, Format Development & Sales, at WBITVP said: "With warmth, charm and laughs, LITTLE BIG SHOTS gives television schedules a dose of pure celebratory entertainment joy and the confidence that comes from a show of such profound success in the U.S."

WBITVP's local production sales campaign for LITTLE BIG SHOTS will continue during the MIPTV 2016 market this week in Cannes, France.

The March 8 debut of the show in the U.S. was the highest-rated alternative series premiere in nearly five years among Adults 18-49 and in more than six years among Total Viewers. Its time period premiere on March 13 was the most-watched regular time period debut of any new show of any kind (scripted or unscripted) on any network for the 2015-16 season, and it was the most-watched regularly scheduled Sunday entertainment program on its U.S. network (NBC) since 2005 (excluding sports). The show was renewed for a second season after only two telecasts.

The U.S. version of LITTLE BIG SHOTS finds two of the biggest names in comedy, Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Harvey, teaming up to showcase some of the smallest talent in a hit unscripted comedy/variety series featuring the world's most extraordinary kids. Serving as host, multitalented entertainer, bestselling author and popular TV host STEVE HARVEY brings his distinctive comedic flair to showcase young musicians, singers, dancers and every form of wunderkind in the world, and goes toe to toe with them, with hilarious results. The gifted performers awe viewers with their talents, slay us with their cuteness and wow us with their accomplishments, showing once and for all that talent is born, not made.

Little Big Shots is executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres, Steve Harvey, Jeff Kleeman, Gerald Washington, Robin Ashbrook, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner. Alison Holloway is the co-executive producer. The series is produced by Warner Horizon Television, East 112th Street Productions and A Very Good Production. The finished program is distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, with local production and format sales handled by Warner Bros. International Television Production.



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