Release the Hounds races to first format deal

ITV horror gameshow Release the Hounds has scored its first international format deal, with German broadcaster ProSieben producing a special, TBI has learned.

The German version will be called Scream! If You Can and be produced by Sony Pictures Television Productions Germany, which is a sister company of formats rights holder Sony Pictures Television. The 1x120mins special will broadcast in March, filmed in conjunction with format creator Gogglebox.

“With Scream! If you Can this new mystery genre will celebrate its debut on German televisioin for the first time. We are very happy to secure the first international format deal for this series and look forward to presenting it to our audience,” said ProSieben’s VP, entertainment, Daniel Rosemann.

A source told TBI Thore Schöelermann – presenter of the German version of The Voice – is to host and that there will be five contestants, rather than the three featured in the UK original.

The format sees unsuspecting contestants locked in a forest where they face genuinely terrifying challenges to win money locked in chests. To keep the cash, they then have to out-run a pack of hounds guarding the loot.

Astrid Quentell, managing director and senior VP, production for Germany, SPT, said: “Release the Hounds caused a stir when we first pitched the format, it is unlike anything else on TV with its unique mix of horror and game play. ProSieben is the perfect partner as we set out to terrify German audiences with the scariest gameshow in television.”

The show first broadcast as a special on ITV2 in the UK last year produced by SPT’s joint venture prodco Gogglebox. It caused a huge stir on social media and was last week ordered to a full series.