Iranian TV snaps up 'Come Dine With Me' format from ITV Studios

ITV studios yesterday hailed its "phenomenally successful" programme Come Dine With Me as it announced that it was selling the format to Iran.

The production arm of ITV said the rights to make local versions of the show had been snapped up by an Iranian broadcaster, Marjan Television Network, as well as others in Ireland and Cyprus.

Come Dine With Me is now shown in 30 territories. Marjan will produce 30 episodes of the show in the UK, featuring Iranian diners, which will then be broadcast throughout Iran.

CYBC, the public broadcaster in Cyprus, plans to produce the show in-house, while ITV Studios will produce the Irish version for TV3.

It is good news for the ITV chief executive Adam Crozier and chairman Archie Norman. As part of their "transformation plan" designed to overhaul all aspects of the broadcaster, they planned to boost the presence of ITV Studios through high-profile brands.

Tobi De Graaff, director of global television distribution at ITV Studios Global Entertainment, said Come Dine With Me had become a "long-term fixture" in many territories, adding: "This proven global success combined with its extremely efficient and cost-effective production has created a very popular and trusted format for international broadcasters to commission."