CBS orders Candy Crush TV series

US network CBS has ordered a one-hour gameshow based on the Candy Crush Saga mobile phone game.

The broadcast net developed the new physical gameshow with app maker King and Lionsgate, which will sell the tape and format internationally.

In the game Candy Crush Saga, players match colorful sweets in combinations of three or more to win points. In the series teams of two people will compete on enormous, interactive game boards.

“We are huge fans of Candy Crush and, like so many others, we know the ‘rush’ of advancing to the next level of the game,” said Glenn Geller, president, CBS Entertainment.  “We’re excited to work with Lionsgate and King to adapt one of the world’s most popular and entertaining game franchises for television and make it available to its massive, passionate fan base who can watch and play along at home.”

“The Candy Crush franchise is a world-renowned property, so when the head of our interactive and games division, Peter Levin, brought this IP to Lionsgate, we instantly knew it would make an incredibly visual, physical and fun TV program,” said Kevin Beggs, chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. “CBS is a leader in unscripted television, which makes it the ideal home for Candy Crush, and we’re very happy to have Matt shepherding the production as we partner with the team at King on this series with the tremendous second-screen potential.”

“The Candy Crush franchise lends itself perfectly to the kind of larger-than-life, physical game shows that I love to produce and CBS is the perfect home for it,” added executive producer Matt Kunitz (Wipeout). “As a Candy Crush Saga player myself, I am excited to amp up the action and visuals in our huge Candy Crush Arena.