TLC to produce US version of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings

Cable network TLC is to produce a US version of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings after striking a deal with UK indie Firecracker Films.

The Discovery-owned broadcaster is currently in development with the series that will examine the lives of gypsies and travelers in the States and is scheduled to air in early 2012.

There are reportedly around 1 million gypsies in the US and the local version will look at their customs and communities, particularly as they gear up for their extravagant weddings.

This comes after the 5x1hour documentary series was the most successful ever documentary on Channel 4, which commissioned the show, with ratings of over 8 million.

The series is distributed internationally by Zodiak Rights, which sold the finished programme to TLC as well as to international broadcasters including XYZ Networks (Australia), TVNZ (New Zealand), Antena 3 (Spain), VTM (Belgium) and Discovery in Italy, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and Slovenia. It has also been picked up across Scandinavia and in Holland.