Distributors Passion and IPCN have sold the format Worst Driver (pictured) into the Chinese market.
Shanghai Media Group’s New Media Business Unit is producing a 13-episode local version of the reality series, which sets out to find a country’s worst driver. It will premiere next year on Chinese streaming service iQIYI.
The deal marks the first Asian adaptation of the format. Originally produced by Mentorn Media for Channel 5 in the UK, the series is represented by Passion Distribution and has been sold into more than 20 territories including the U.S., Australia and Germany.
“Worst Driver is a fun and entertaining format but also sends a very positive social message that encourages safe and orderly driving manners,” said Jimmy Harmsen, IPCN’s head of acquisitions, in a statement. “The show has a great potential to generate debate on social media, which is imperative for us to consider when acquiring and licensing a format for an online platform.”
Shanghai-based IPCN is a rights distributor and producer that focuses on the Chinese market.