China’s Shenzhen orders Sony’s Sing-Off

Chinese broadcaster Shenzen Satellite TV has ordered a local version of Sony Pictures Television’s musical competition format The Sing-Off.

The series is the latest international format to be signed in the country following Shanghai Media Group’s high profile acquisition of Shine International’s cooking format MasterChef.

Shenzhen Media Group is working with IPCN to produce 16 episodes of the show, which sees a number of a capella groups perform contemporary pop songs without music.

The series has previously been picked up by France 2 and Netherlands’ SBS and has aired three seasons in the US via NBC.

“We have seen many talent shows on TV, but The Sing-Off is not about one person becoming an overnight success or finding fame on stage,” said Yi Hua, deputy editor-in-chief of Shenzhen Satellite TV and chief producer of The Sing-Off.