Scandinavian broadcaster to make its own version

Denmark is set to make its own version of Taskmaster.

Commercial broadcaster TV 2 has bought the format rights from programme-makers Avalon and commissioned local company Metronome to produce eight hour-long episodes.

Meanwhile,  Sweden’s public broadcaster, SVT is to make a second series of their popular local version, entitled Bäst i Test! (‘Best in Test!’), which premiered earlier this year. 

Both Scandinavian series are due to be broadcast next year.

Announcing the deals, Isobel Hughes, director of distribution at Avalon, said: "Taskmaster has already proved to be a global success with local versions being made in the US and Belgium and a second series now confirmed for SVT in Sweden.

‘The show’s combination of competition, ingenuity, comedy and creative challenges is compelling and entertaining viewing in any country and is sure to be equally popular with audiences in Denmark.’

Anette Rømer, head of acquisitions at TV 2 added: ‘The programme creates an atmosphere of Gemütlichkeit [geniality] and hygge [contented cosiness] which we know our viewers appreciate.’

Taskmaster, which was originally created by Alex Horne, is also in development in six additional territories.

The UK version, with Greg Davies as the Taskmaster, has been also sold to New Zealand’s TVNZ and UKTV in Australia.

Avalon will also be hawking the show at the Asian TV Forum taking place in Singapore at the end of November. 

The show is returning to Dave for a ‘champion of champions’ two-parter on December 13 and 20. Previous series winners Katherine Ryan, Bob Mortimer, Josh Widdecombe, Noel Fielding and Rob Beckett are currently filming their challenges.

Published: 22 Nov 2017