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Lip Sync Battle China
30 November 2015
A local version of Viacom International Media Networks’ singing game show format, Lip Sync Battle, is set to air in China in January 2016, giving Viacom’s Singapore-based regional operation its second adaptation in Asia of the original U.S. format.
The China version has been commissioned by Chinese online media company Sohu.com, which has ordered one-hour episodes.
The extended versions are in line with China’s preference for one-hour shows.
Production starts in December. The premiere is scheduled for late January 2016 on VOD portal Sohu Video.
The series will premiere simultaneously on free-TV broadcaster Shenzhen TV. The format will air on Fridays, in the evening prime-time belt.
The first Asian instalment was made in Indonesia by free-TV broadcaster Net TV, which commissioned 45 half-hour episodes. The Indonesian adaptation, Celebrity Lip Sync Battle Indonesia, has been on air since October 2015.
Lip Sync Battle China will be co-produced by Sohu and Viacom International Media Networks, lead by music show producer Ma Li (former director of Hunan TV).
Based on the pop culture phenomenon of lip sync battling, the Viacom/Spike TV original series features celebrities going head to head lip-syncing the song of their choice.
Sohu’s Wang Yi, head of production and IP acquisition, says the greatest challenge was extending the show from the original half hour to one hour. This was dealt with by including more pre-recorded clips and, of course, more battle rounds.
Wang also says this is the first time the team is producing a show involving a huge number of celebrities.
Sohu has been one of China’s most active foreign content buyers. The shopping list for international acquisitions includes format Saturday Night Live, drama series Olympus and The Hunger Games movies.
“Reality series have always been big in China and with the upcoming Olympic event next year, the format focus going into 2016 will be towards competition and sports such as the third season of the local version of The Amazing Race, which will air on Sohu and Shenzhen TV next year during the Olympics,�...
A local version of Viacom International Media Networks’ singing game show format, Lip Sync Battle, is set to air in China in January 2016, giving Viacom’s Singapore-based regional operation its second adaptation in Asia of the original U.S. format.
The China version has been commissioned by Chinese online media company Sohu.com, which has ordered one-hour episodes.
The extended versions are in line with China’s preference for one-hour shows.
Production starts in December. The premiere is scheduled for late January 2016 on VOD portal Sohu Video.
The series will premiere simultaneously on free-TV broadcaster Shenzhen TV. The format will air on Fridays, in the evening prime-time belt.
The first Asian instalment was made in Indonesia by free-TV broadcaster Net TV, which commissioned 45 half-hour episodes. The Indonesian adaptation, Celebrity Lip Sync Battle Indonesia, has been on air since October 2015.
Lip Sync Battle China will be co-produced by Sohu and Viacom International Media Networks, lead by music show producer Ma Li (former director of Hunan TV).
Based on the pop culture phenomenon of lip sync battling, the Viacom/Spike TV original series features celebrities going head to head lip-syncing the song of their choice.
Sohu’s Wang Yi, head of production and IP acquisition, says the greatest challenge was extending the show from the original half hour to one hour. This was dealt with by including more pre-recorded clips and, of course, more battle rounds.
Wang also says this is the first time the team is producing a show involving a huge number of celebrities.
Sohu has been one of China’s most active foreign content buyers. The shopping list for international acquisitions includes format Saturday Night Live, drama series Olympus and The Hunger Games movies.
“Reality series have always been big in China and with the upcoming Olympic event next year, the format focus going into 2016 will be towards competition and sports such as the third season of the local version of The Amazing Race, which will air on Sohu and Shenzhen TV next year during the Olympics,” says Wang.
This article was first published inContentAsia's eNewsletter, 30 November 2015.
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