Canada courts Keshet’s Girlfri3nds

Canadian specialty channel VRAK has ordered a local version of Keshet International’s reality dating formay Girlfri3nds.

The French-speaking Canadian channel, part of the Bell Media stable, has commissioned local prodco Zone 3 to produce the show, which will run to 16 half-hour episodes and tentatively launch at 7.30pm on April 23.

VRAK version will put a twist on the format, in which three female housemates whittle down suitors to just three potential soulmates, by switching the focus to men halfway through.

The local show’s title, 3 Filles Célibataires (Three Single Girls) will become 3 Gars Célibataires (Three Single Guys) from episode nine onwards.

“We believe it will be most interesting to see how guys and girls have a different take on dating, and we are very excited to bring a more genuine, new kind of dating concept to our young viewers,” said Zone 3.

“The fact that this Canadian version will also feature men as the decision makers gives the show all the more relevance and appeal to a wider audience,” added KI’s general manager, distribution, Keren Shahar. “We are really looking forward to seeing how this local addition works.”

Girlfri3nds has been adapted in the UK for ITV2 and Novy Channel in Ukraine, and sold four local adaptations to Europe’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group in January 2013.