NBCU encourages Portugal, Finland to “Dance Your A** Off”

July 20, 2012 by Barry Walsh

NBCUniversal International has sold its weight-loss dance challenge format Dance Your A** Off (DYAO) to commercial broadcaster SIC in Portugal and free-to-air channel Fox in Finland.

Each territory will produce local versions of the format, which originally debuted on Oxygen in the U.S. in 2009.

The format features contestants aiming to lose weight by taking part in a strict dance and fitness routine. One contestant is eliminated each week based on dance scores delivered by celebrity judges and the amount of weight lost.

In Portugal, FremantleMedia will produce a 14 x 90-minute season for SIC, while in Finland, Metronome Film & Television and Estonia’s Ruut will collaborate on 10 x 60-minute originals, which will also air as 10 x 30-minute repeats. Both series are slated to air in their territories in September.

“Having simultaneous series orders from two opposite corners of Europe highlight the format’s ability to transcend cultures and entertain all types of audiences,” said Yvonne Pilkington, SVP of formats and production at NBCUniversal International. “DYAO definitely has a lot of good momentum going for it, and we look forward to partnering with broadcasters around the world to tailor DYAO to their audiences.”

Tags: Dance Your Ass Off, NBC Universal International