Vivendi swoops for global rights to TF1’s ‘Celebrity Song Challenge’

France’s Vivendi Entertainment has picked up global rights to TF1 and DMLS TV’s shiny-floor format The Celebrity Song Challenge.

The format launched last week in primetime and was TF1’s best performing non-fiction show.

Prior to each episode, some of France’s most popular celebrities, including singers, TV hosts, comedians and athletes, challenge each other on social media to step outside of their comfort zones and sing in front of a live audience.

While famous singers known for one genre have to tackle new areas of music, other celebrities such as actors and comedians must sing live for the first time.

The deal follows Vivendi Entertainment, DMLS TV and TF1’s previous collaboration on The Secret Song, another shiny-floor format that is currently in development in 10 territories.

Matthieu Porte, EVP of international and development at Vivendi Entertainment, said: “We are excited to add this format to our catalogue as it mixes the ever so popular challenge trend with the good old ‘Family Saturday night’ feeling. Besides, having A-list celebrities challenge each other makes it a real must-watch.”

Matthieu Vergne, MD at DMLSTV, added: “It’s a new kind of format that starts on social media with the artists challenging each other, and it culminates in a TV show where the challenges turn into very surprising performances. The Celebrity Song Challenge gives the viewers a new perspective on artists, allowing them to see their favourite celebrities teasing each other, being funny but also stressing about their performance.”