NBC leads Primal Media & Group M’s reality format ‘The Underdog’ into the US

NBC in the US is developing STV Studios’ reality format The Underdog, following a deal with NBCUniversal (NBCU).

The show, which was created by STV-owned Primal Media and is co-owned by GroupM Motion Entertainment, sees a cast of conventionally popular contestants competing in a popularity contest.

However, in amongst the group is an underdog that no one is expecting who is directed by former reality stars to ensure he wins the competition.

US rights were secured by Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio (UTAS) and Ed Havard, SVP of unscripted programming at Universal International Studios.

The deal was brokered on the STV Studios side by creative director of international development, Josephine Brassey, and commercial director, Camilla Cope, who recently joined the team as part of STV’s acquisition of Greenbird Media, which was sold by Keshet last year.

Development at NBC will be led by Corie Henson.

A UK version of the format, with a working title of Alan Must Win, is currently in the works for E4 produced by Primal Media and GroupM. Outside of the US, All3Media International sells rights.