Bachelor looks for love with Oz commission

Network Ten has commissioned an Australian version of The Bachelor after licensing the format from Warner Bros. International Television Production.

MasterChef producer Shine Australia will produce the primetime series, which sees a single man eliminating bachelorettes to find one to will begin a relationship with.

Production will begin shortly, with the series going to air later this year.

The series marks Ten’s first foray back into reality TV since last year’s Everybody Dance Now, Being Lara Bingle, The Shire and I Will Survive – all of which flopped in the ratings – and a first from the genre since Hamish McLennan took over as CEO in March.

“The Bachelor is one of the longest-running and most successful television franchises in the world, with productions in over 25 countries,” said Ten’s chief programming officer, Beverley McGarvey. “We are thrilled to be working with Shine to take this iconic show and create a uniquely Australian entertainment event.”

The Bachelor format recently wrapped its 17^th season in the US on ABC and has been remade in territories including the UK, where it goes out on Channel 5.

Andrew Zein, senior VP, creative, format development and sales, WBITVP, said: “The Bachelor continues to be a ratings hit for broadcasters both in the U.S. and internationally.”