Tuesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Baywatch to splash onto Prime Video in Europe

Prime Video has snagged rights to the revamped Baywatch drama in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Canada, Latin America and India.

The show, which will premiere in 2027, is produced by Fremantle and Fox Entertainment. The broadcaster has US rights while Sky has acquired the show for the UK.

As part of the agreement, the complete back catalogue of the original series, comprising all nine seasons of Baywatch and both seasons of Baywatch Hawaii, will also launch on Prime Video in the same territories.

The reboot has Matt Nix attached as showrunner, with Fox Entertainment Global holding all US distribution rights, and Fremantle managing RoW sales.

BBC unveils comedy shortlist

Avalon, Expectation and Ranga Bee have been shortlisted for an original BBC2 comedy entertainment format, Broadcast has learned.

BBC Entertainment launched a tender for the format in December, seeking pitches for a 10 x 30-minute series with a fast-turnaround production model, filming multiple shows a day.

The tender invited ideas traditionally not associated with the BBC, akin to YouTube’s The Roast of the Sidemen and Prime Video’s LOL: Last One Laughing UK to appeal to younger audiences, aged 25-45, but made on a smaller budget of £750,000 (£75,000 per episode).

It is understood the three indies have each been given paid development to enhance their projects, with the BBC commissioning one idea, eventually. According to the tender brief, the show is intended for transmission from Autum/Winter this year. Read more