Hit format "Wanna Bet...?" now also in the U.S.

The U.S. network ABC will air an American version of "Wanna Bet?", reported ZDF and ZDF Enterprises today. U.S. TV producer Phil Gurin will develop the U.S. version for ABC. The Gurin Company is one of the leading, totally independent production firms of the U.S. entertainment industry. A pilot is scheduled for immediate production, and the broadcaster plans to air the program in the U.S. within the next three months.

Another incredible coup for ABC’s 'Wanna Bet?' is getting immensely popular British hosts Ant and Dec to sign on to the show. Since their move into primetime entertainment on British television, Ant and Dec and their shows have won a staggering eight National Television Awards (including Most Popular Entertainment Presenters for the last five years in a row), six British Comedy Awards, two BAFTA’s and a variety of other industry accolades. This is the first American show to air with the UK’s biggest hosts, who recently signed the richest hosting deal in the UK ever!

Says ZDF’s Head of Programming Thomas Bellut: "We are extremely pleased that ABC has ordered a pilot of ZDF's family entertainment show "Wanna bet?", a top-rated program for 25 years now. We are proud that the famous British hosts Ant and Dec are coming to America with our show - and I am sure that "Wanna bet?" and these experienced presenters will convince ABC to order a full season! American families will love the show."

Alexander Coridass, President and CEO of ZDF Enterprises, the commercial arm of the broadcaster, adds: "'Wanna Bet?' is the most successful Saturday evening show in Europe, entertaining millions of viewers to this day. The format has been selling worldwide and works in countries as close to Germany as the Netherlands, Great Britain, Poland and Turkey to territories as far as Russia and China. The licensing contract with the U.S. has opened the doors to this hit show in the English-language territories."

The US-version of 'Wanna Bet?' is planned as a weekly, one-hour, prime-time event that gives four celebrity contestants the chance to earn big money for their charities by betting on some of the wildest stunts, tricks and mental challenges that ordinary people -- housewives, truck drivers, kids -- can dream up! Contestants then bet on whether they think the person can pull off their incredible claim. A unique gambling element has also been added to the entertainment format, capitalizing on the worldwide popularity of actual wagering.

About “Wetten,dass..? (Wanna Bet?)”: The first "Wanna Bet?" was broadcast on 14. February 1981. It has become the most successful Saturday evening show in Europe, entertaining viewers in their millions to this very day. The technique of this entertaining program is to focus on candidates who are particularly good at something and are prepared to prove it while millions of people are watching. Viewers of all generations flock to the television screen to watch top international stars, to enjoy the particular charm of the loveable Thomas Gottschalk, and in particular to witness the spectacular bets that form the basis of the show.

In Germany “Wetten,dass..? (Wanna Bet?)” has been the undisputed number 1 with 167 live shows ever since 1981, achieving an average market share of 46% on Saturday evenings and up to 16 million viewers. The factors that have made the programme such a success for so many years are, first, its host Thomas Gottschalk, Germany’s most popular presenter, the multitude of always unusual and amusing bet ideas as well as the array of international superstars from the areas of music, sport, film and television in each show. Among the last years’ guests were Paul Mc Cartney, Keith Urban, Beyoncé Knowles, Christina Aguilera, Denzel Washington, Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Franz Beckenbauer, Julio Iglesias, Roberto Benigni, Tom Cruise, Toto, Juanes, Jessye Norman, John Malkovich, Eva Padberg, Roberto Cavalli, Kelly Clarkson, Katie Melua, Cecilia Bartoli, The Sugababes, Depeche Mode, James Blunt, Eros Ramazotti, Boris Becker, Jaqueline Bisset, Sir Ben Kingsley, Cameron Diaz, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Shakira, Madonna, Melanie C, Mick Hucknall, Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé, Heidi Klum, Andrea Bocelli, Avril Lavigne, Joss Stone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Roger Federer, Kylie Minogue, Jackie Chan, Pelé, Seal, Sir Elton John, Alanis Morissette, Lionel Richie, John Cleese, José Carreras, Elijah Wood, Kelly Osbourne, Luciano Pavarotti, Faye Dunaway, Andie MacDowell, Peter Falk, The Bangles, Craig David, Faith Hill, Tom "Tiger" Jones, Phil Collins, Carlos Santana, Niki Lauda, Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA), Bon Jovi, Pink, Michael Ballack, Shania Twain, Laetitia Casta, Bryan Ferry, Bryan Adams, Britney Spears, Joe Cocker, Céline Dion, Dustin Hoffman, Enrique Iglesias, Claudia Schiffer, Destiny's Child, Sting, Oliver Kahn, Alicia Keys, Donovan, Victoria Beckham.