Endemol sells Marriage Ref into China

Endemol has secured a 52 episode order for a Chinese version of its Marriage Ref format. Chinese broadcaster Jiangsu Broadcasting will air the show Thursday and Friday evenings from late September.

The original US version of the show is executive produced by Jerry Seinfeld and airs on broadcast network NBC, which will launch season two this autumn.

Local versions have been ordered in Australia where it will air on the Seven Network, Argentina where it will air on Telefe, Israel where it will air on Keshet and Spain where it has been optioned by Antena 3.

Speaking about the Chinese deal, Endemol Asia boss Arjen van Mierlo said: “The Marriage Ref has universal appeal and I have no doubt that the themes of marriage and relationships will resonate strongly with audiences in Asia.”