EXCLUSIVE: Could famous comedians be about to play some ball on ITV?
Deadline understands ITV has put in early development a version of Dutch format Let’s Play Ball, in which rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic ball across various terrains. Facing physical puzzles along the way, each episode of the Ninja Warrior-esque format will see the teams navigate varied landscapes. The show can be tailored to each territory by taking advantage of that territory’s landmarks, so expect to see the giant ball making its way across Tower Bridge, or maybe rolling up Arthur’s Seat. Produced by Banijay-backed Last One Laughing UK makers Initial and Zeppotron, Let’s Play Ball is in early development in the UK and there is no guarantee it will make it to screen.
Let’s Play Ball is one of the biggest shows to come out of the formats hub of the Netherlands in recent months. That version from Talpa started out on YouTube, where it was hosted by popular YouTubers StukTV and landed more than 1.2 million views. It then broke out on Dutch broadcaster SBS6. Banijay exec James Townley recently told us the distributor is in talks with multiple buyers over international versions of Let’s Play Ball.
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If Let’s Play Ball gets greenlit, it will be the latest in a line of recent shows in which celebrities battle it out in fun settings. ITV is also making The Box, hosted by Gary Lineker, which sees celebs packed in yellow boxes and sent to different locations, where they face physical and mental challenges. Prime Video, meanwhile, is onto its second season of the hit Last One Laughing UK, which also comes from Initial and Zeppotron.
Let’s Play Ball also shares some DNA with Destination X, the hit Belgian guessing game format that has just launched in the UK and U.S.
Let’s Play Ball was a Deadline Global Breakout over the summer. At that point, Banijay exec Sil Geurtsen said it is a perfect example of how producers can best leverage YouTube. If ITV proceeds with Let’s Play Ball, the network may want to take advantage of the content creator landscape.
ITV declined comment on the development.