M-Net confirmed Thursday that kykNET (DStv 144) has secured the local rights to adapt a local version of the riveting reality competition format, ‘The Bridge‘.
According to Waldimar Pelser, director of Premium Channels at M-Net, ‘Die Brug‘ has already concluded filming at a secret location in South Africa. The revelation comes months after a mysterious call to entry by the channel inviting members of the public to sign up for an exciting reality-TV competition.
The local version is produced by Red Pepper Pictures (Big Brother South Africa, Lip Sync Battle Africa) and marks the 11th adaptation of the international hit reality show.
An ultimate test of physical ability, mental skill and teamwork, ‘Banijay’ centres around a group of contestants, who must work together to build, in just twelve days, an enormous bridge of several hundred meters long to an island, where a cash prize of R1 million is hidden. However, only one contestant will walk away with the prize and must decide whether to share it or take it all for themselves.
The high-stakes reality competition is the original creation of Zeppelin TV (part of Endemol Shine Iberia), and has had a number of successful runs in Australia, Brazil and the UK, where it returned with a second season in 2022 and was a hit among younger viewers.
The new South African adaptation follows the four new versions of ‘The Bridge‘ which aired on Prime Video in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland last year, with a version for HBO Max in Hungary launching this year.
“The Bridge is not just a show, it’s a global phenomenon that captures the interest of viewers around the world,” Pelser said, adding: “We are thrilled to be producing the local version of this hit franchise, bringing together the best South African talent, and showcasing our beautiful landscapes to create a series that will have audiences at the edge of their seats.”
Earlier this year, kykNET published a cryptic call to entry for “Die Groot Avontuur” (The Great Adventure) – and the response was overwhelmingly positive. “The call to entry period garnered the most entries for any reality show at kykNET to date, which speaks to the appetite for adventure-based reality of the kykNET audience,” Pelser added. “No-one had any idea what they were entering for.”
The local adaptation of the series, ‘Die Brug‘, will include 11 episodes that will air on KykNET (home to ‘Die Real Housewives Van Pretoria) from Thursday October, 26 (2023) at 8pm.
 at 8pm.){kind=link}