EXCLUSIVE: Naked Education indie Betty and South African production outfit afrOkaans Film and Television have optioned Israeli format Hungry for Love.
In Israeli network Hot’s show, a group of singletons must follow one rule, in order to eat they must date. Guided by a professional therapist, the contestants participate in the experiment and try and find love through dining.
The format was forged by Zipi Rozenblum and produced by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures and Bad Boy producer Sipur. Mediawan Rights‘ unscripted department is shopping at Mipcom Cannes next week.
All3Media-backed Betty and afroKaans will be hoping the format can be the next big show in their respective nations, having both found success with evergreen hits in the recent past. Betty’s credits include the likes of Channel 4 double Naked Education and The Undateables, while afroKaans is behind the local version of Survivor.
“Hungry for Love is a funny and emotional authentic journey that can speak to the hearts (and stomachs) of viewers around the world,” said Silverman and Rozenblum. “It’s a pleasure to take part in this journey with great partners like Betty TV and afrOkaans as each company will put its own unique stamp on the format.”
Michael Peter Schmidt, Rozenblum and Emilio Schenker executive produce for Sipur, with Greg Silverman, Chris Bosco and Jay Judah executive producing on behalf of Stampede. Claire LaPlante serves as co-executive producer. Handrie Basson, Darren Lindsay and Leroux Botha are executive producing the afrOkaans’ version.
All local Israeli TV productions, excluding broadcasts providing news updates, have been placed on hold this week following a directive from the Israeli army amidst the bloody conflict between the country and Hamas fighters.