The Traitors: Canada’s Crave buys US, UK and Australian versions in major ready-band deal

EXCLUSIVE: Canada’s Crave signed up for the US, UK and Australia versions of The traitors while the large Dutch format is produced in six other territories, bringing the total to 20.

Crave owner Bell Media has taken the unprecedented step of buying all three versions of a trio the traitors biggest productions, while Mip TV is launched in Cannes.

Studio Lambert is producing the US and UK versions from a Scottish castle and Endemol Shine Australia is behind the show Down Under. Led by Alan Cumming, Claudia Winkleman and Rodger Corser, the trio has been renewed for a second season by Peacock, the BBC and Network 10. They differ in some ways, with the US version being the only one with some celebrities. Peacock bought the UK and Australian version and the BBC bought the US version.

In the traitors, leading to a revival of sorts for the format, contestants are split into “husbands” and “traitors”, with the former trying to track down the latter while all participating in challenges and building up prize pools. “Married people” are then “killed” every night after a confrontation of “traitors”, while a candidate is also banned after being voted out.

Six local offers

Separately, distributor All3Media International has six local adaptation deals adding to this number traitor Productions up to 20 worldwide since the original was launched in the Netherlands two years ago.

Networks in Israel, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Sweden and an unannounced territory have given the green light for local versions. Keshet gave orders to the Israeli traitor and Fremantle Abot Hameiri produces. SIC is Portuguese copper, RTL orders in Hungary and ANT1 orders in Greece.

IDTV’s show, which is owned by All3Media, has taken the format world by storm and All3 will be looking for more deals with Mip TV. A traitor Masterclass takes place tomorrow in Cannes.

“The global answer to The traitors – from broadcasters, viewers and critics – has been incredible, and we’re thrilled that the finished tape versions have been so well received,” said Jennifer Askin, senior vice president of All3 North America completed tape sales in Canada.

Calling the 20 local adaptations a “milestone”, Askin’s All3 colleague Nick Smith added: “IDTV’s highly adaptable format has not only produced an impressive number of international releases in just two years, it has also managed to capture the attention of audiences that are really excited everywhere. ..it’s broadcast.”