Wednesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

99 to Beat extended at Fox

Fox has extended competition format 99 to Beat into a second season.

The show, originally created by Belgian broadcaster VRT and production company De Chinezen, sees 100 contestants compete in a series of unpredictable challenges with one rule: don’t finish last.

Fox’s version is produced by Banijay’s UK-based label Initial, while the format is into its seventh season on VRT.

It has also been adapted across 13 international territories, including in Germany (Sat.1), Italy (Rai2), the UK (ITV1), Brazil (Record TV), Sweden (Kanal 5/WBD), France (M6) and Estonia.

ODMedia names chief exec

European distribution outfit ODMedia has named Emma Geelen as its chief exec.

Geelen, who was chief operating officer, takes up the role in September and replaces Sjef Pijnenburg, who founded ODMedia in 2004.

He will become founder and strategic advisor, with a focus on vision, M&A, innovation, strategic partnerships and new commercial opportunities.

ODMedia works with content owners and streamers and video platforms to work across sales.

Hollywood studio comedy lands at BET 

BET in the US has greenlit Manny Halley Productions’ Lot Patrol.

The comedy series follows a mismatched squad of eccentric security guards patrols who work on a chaotic backlot of a major Hollywood studio.

It stars DeRay Davis (21 Jump Street), Carl Anthony Payne, (Martin), Tamera Kissen (White Men Can’t Jump), and Darius McCrary (Family Matters)

Erik White directs, with Ernest L. Dancy and Manny Halley serving as chief writers.

ITV pushes button on The Golden Elevators

ITV has commissioned a UK version of Studio Lambert and Talpa Studios’ high-stakes quiz show The Golden Elevators.

The brainchild of the All3Media label and John de Mol’s Dutch studio business, the series sees ten contestants take on each other and two elevators in a bid to win a cash jackpot. House of Games veteran Richard Osman will host.

The quiz starts in the lobby of a towering skyscraper, where each question presents two possible answers, represented by an elevator. Contestants are tasked with picking the elevator with the correct answer. Before the doors close, players can confer, debate, persuade or mislead.

Each correct answer moves the contestants closer to the top via the elevators. Step into the wrong one, and everyone inside is plunged straight into the lobby and out of the game. Read more