Quibi teams with MTV Studios to reboot ‘Punk’d’, ‘Singled Out’

Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi has partnered with MTV Studios to reboot Punk’d and Singled Out for the forthcoming short-form, mobile-first platform.

The two formats will be reimagined for the service, with each receiving a 20 x 10-minute episode order. Producer-distributor STXtelevision is to produce Punk’d in association with MTV Studios, while Singled Out will be solely produced by MTV Studios.

Quibi is to launch in April 2020. CEO Katzenberg told TBI earlier this year that the platform wants to do for short-form what HBO did for broadcast.

The Ashton Kutcher-fronted Punk’d debuted on MTV in 2003 and ran for 10 series. The basic premise saw celebrities such as Justin Timberlake and Frankie Muniz being pranked by friends, family and co-workers. The reboot of the programme promises to again target big Hollywood stars, but will this time incorporate new technology in its array of pranks.

Meanwhile, Singled Out was originally hosted by Chris Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy and ran from 1995 to 1998. The show saw 50 singles competing for a date with the one contestant. The new show promises to involve more diverse contestants and pairings.

Chris McCarthy, president of MTV, said: “This deal builds on MTV’s strategy of reinventing our iconic shows to reach new audiences on pioneering new platforms like Quibi. We are excited to be working with Jeffrey, Doug and the Quibi team to reinvent Punk’d and Singled Out for a new generation of fans.”

Doug Herzog, a content advisor for Quibi, said: “For the generation who grew up watching Punk’d and Singled Out on MTV, this represents a long overdue reboot of two well-loved shows. It’s also an opportunity to bring these enduring and classic MTV franchises to a brand new audience on our exciting new platform.”