The Apprentice set to return as Fremantle strikes deal with Mark Burnett
Fremantle Media has struck a deal with the Mark Burnett-owned production company One Three Television Today to bring Burnett’s shows to Australia and New Zealand.
This could mean a return of The Apprentice, Survivor and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and the introduction of Shark Tank and Expedition Impossible.
Fremantle will have exclusive access to Burnett’s back catalogue of formats, and the ability to take shows currently in development and produce them first in Australia and New Zealand, along with ancillary rights to all formats.
FremantleMedia CEO Ian Hogg told The Australian: “We’re very confident The Apprentice will be making an appearance on Australian TV soon. It could be (on Nine).”
In a statement, Burnett said: “We have a great track record with FremantleMedia Australia and value the high quality television they produce. I am looking forward to working with Ian and his team and am sure we will have many more successful formats produced in Australia and New Zealand.”
On its debut in 2009, The Apprentice attracted just 692,000 viewers for Nine. The business reality show fronted by Mark Bouris, which aired from 9.30 until after 11pm, saw a variable ratings performance until it bowed out 0.834m viewers.
Australian Survivor debuted in 2001 on Nine in the Wednesday 8.30pm timeslot, beginning with solid ratings which rapidly dwindled, partly because of a clash with rival reality show The Mole, which aired on Seven in the 7.30pm slot.
“Introduction” of Smarter than a 5th Grader?
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The 2nd series needs more of an edge. I’m a huge fan of the Apprentice UK, and have been drawn in to all 6 series.
Is Mark Bouris too much of a nice guy? (compared to Alan Sugar)
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do you think there could be an australian version of the celebrity apprentice? Any suggestions of which aussie celebs would be in it?
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Imagine if Gerry Harvey was the aussie version instead of mark bouris?
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