via press release:
THE BRITISH SENSATION, “BAKE OFF,” COMES TO AMERICA
CBS Orders New Reality Series Based on the Hit UK Format
That is Also Sweeping Europe and Other International Territories
CBS has ordered a new alternative series, BAKE OFF (working title), based on the hit UK format “The Great British Bake Off” for broadcast next year.
The series will feature skilled amateur Americans competing in baking challenges with one ultimately being crowned the winner.
“The Great British Bake Off” has become a ratings sensation in the UK. The third season finale, which aired last night (Oct. 16), was one of the highest-rated BBC2 originated shows in the last six years, earning a 25.3% share among British viewers, a series high.
The format is also sweeping Europe and other international territories, delivering big ratings on DR-1 in Denmark and on TV4 in Sweden, where it ranks as the highest rated show in the channel’s history. The series is also entertaining audiences in Belgium and Poland and has been sold in Australia, Ireland, Norway and France.
The executive producer of “Bake Off” is Richard McKerrow and the series is produced by Love Productions USA.
Don’t we already have a couple hundred of these shows on cable?
Another CBS reality flop in the making.
A 25 share! That’s crazy. The Voice just got a 13 share!
Is there just less competition in the UK?
My 80 year old mom will probably watch it.
Won’t be watching. think my satelite bill should be coming down for all these talkers and cooking shows.Non stop reruns/People going from one show to another to promote something.
@Nick
Honestly they’ll watch any old crap in the UK – I know because I’m a Brit who now lives in the US!
Foolish move for CBS… Bake Off did well in Britain because they haven’t had loads of cake / baking shows like in the US. It’s a format two years too late.
I’m a massive fan of the British show, but that’s cos of the excellent hosting and fantastic, fairly lighthearted direction. Can’t imagine they’ll keep much of that in our version. Expect Gordon Ramsay or the like and lots shouting at people for the smallest mistakes.
Hey, “Bake Off” is a great working title. Although I would substitute “Bake” for another word that begins with a ‘J’.
Seriously CBS. Perhaps, it’s just a bridge series or summer series. However, based on KN and the demos it does for FOX, it might have an audience. Just not me!
Don’t knock this show before you’ve seen it. It’s a great format, if they replicate the tone of the British version, it’ll be a hit for CBS. The show has gained viewers with every episode in the UK. Unlike most shows, it applauds achievement and doesn’t focus on failure. It’s dramatic without exploiting or humiliating its contestants. It’s very different to the shows that have come before.
@Nick
Over here there is less competition. The US has loads of channels that airs new content but for us most are just repeats/imports. The main channels for us are: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV1, ITV, Channel 4, E4, Five, Sky 1 and Dave. There’s probably one or two more but those are the main channels for us so there’s not much competition.
25 share isn’t that much in the UK. The U.S. population is 6 times as much as UK.
The reason The Great British Bake Off got such a huge share was it was against no competiton, Its biggest competition was an England football match on ITV1 but that was cancelled due to a flooded pitch, instead a repeat of a drama was shown
In the UK, the show takes place during a leisurely day under a tent in a field. Will they really keep that format for the US?
If CBS airs this after the Super Bowl. I will be hugely disappointed!
“Unlike most shows, it applauds achievement and doesn’t focus on failure. It’s dramatic without exploiting or humiliating its contestants.”
If that’s true, then Bake Off is DOA in the U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNWMe7bIT94
Great news! This is the one show missing on the schedules of all the networks.
A 25 share is impressive. Though, Survivor got a 54 SHARE for its season 1 finale (with a 22.8 demo). That was in the summer and only factored in live (not same day). Though, the times have changed to where a 3.0/10 is considered a major hit.
Coming soon: Checking the Mail.