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´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels has struck a deal with ITV Studios America to produce a US version of the hit cookery format Come Dine with Me for its international network of channels.

Production on the 10 x 60 minute series begins this summer, with the show set to debut on ´óÏó´«Ã½ America in early 2011, on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Lifestyle in Asia, Africa, Poland, Scandinavia, Middle East and on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment in Latin America.

Commenting on the deal, David Weiland, SVP Programming and TV Channels at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels said, "The UK version of Come Dine With Me is already a strong performer on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Lifestyle across all territories and we are really excited about adding the US version to the mix. This deal reinforces our commitment to commission local productions for our channels, in this instance ´óÏó´«Ã½ America, and we’re thrilled to be working with ITV Studios to create a US incarnation of the show."

Paul Buccieri, CEO, ITV Studios, Inc added, "Come Dine With Me is a terrific format, successful in over 20 territories around the world. I am delighted to be working with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels at the start of what I hope is a long mutually successful relationship."

Featuring participants from the New York metropolitan area, Come Dine With Me (US) is based on ITV Studios' popular UK format which follows amateur chefs competing for the title of the ultimate dinner party host. Each episode brings together four strangers who take turns cooking up their idea of the perfect evening. Each competitor then rates the host's performance and the winner is lauded the 'ultimate dinner party host' and awarded a hefty prize.

´óÏó´«Ã½ America has also acquired from ITV Studios Global Entertainment 22 episodes of the UK version of Come Dine With Me to air in its primetime schedules from July this year.

NOTES TO EDITORS
´óÏó´«Ã½ AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of non-fiction. ´óÏó´«Ã½ AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. ´óÏó´«Ã½ AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 67 million homes.

ITV Studios, Inc. is one of the largest international producers for the US market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for US networks.

Since launching in 2004, ITV Studios (formerly know as Granada America) has become a leading producer of reality and scripted programming in the US with a slate of successful formats in production with major US networks, including Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares for Fox, Celebrity Fit Club for VH1, Four Weddings for TLC, I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! for NBC, WCG: Ultimate Gamer for SyFy, Danger Coast for CMT, Steven Segal: Lawman, and The First 48 series’ for A&E.

ITV Studios is a world leader in television production and distribution, with international production centers in the UK, Germany and Australia as well as America and programs distributed to over 155 territories worldwide.

Harriet Otoo