MUMBAI: The BBC’s worldwide-success, Strictly Come Dancing, has sashayed its way to victory in the international category at the annual Broadcast Awards a few nights ago in London.
The format sees celebrities and their professional dance partners perform either Ballroom or Latin American dances in front of a panel of feisty judges. BBC says that the show has aired in countries as far afield as Australia and the US, attracting audiences of millions, and sparking a revival of interest in ballroom dancing. The show is about to launch in South Africa.
Strictly Come Dancing fought off competition from Channel 4’s Jamie’s School Dinners, How Clean is Your House and ITV1’s Cash Cab to take the title of Best International TV Sales.
Judges praised the transferability of the format to a global audience, saying: “This is the holy grail: a primetime format that can travel around the world and work in every market you can think of.”
BBC Worldwide’s Colin Jarvis says, “Strictly Come Dancing has become an unmissable TV event across the world. Audiences have been enthralled with the glamour and excitement of the format, which is why so many people have continued to tune in to the show week after week. We’re delighted to have won this category in the face of some difficult opposition – it’s a real triumph for event television.”
Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Sweden, UK and as Dancing With The Stars on ABC in the US.
