On 29 June 2023 M-Net Director of Premium Channels Waldimar Pelser announced at the DStv Media Sales annual event for M-Net channels that kykNET (DStv Channel 144) has secured the local rights to a new adaptation of the cinematically spectacular and riveting reality competition format The Bridge. Pelser revealed that the series has concluded filming at a secret location in South Africa after a mysterious call to entry at the beginning of the year, inviting adventurous people to sign up for an exciting reality-TV competition. The local version was produced by Red Pepper Pictures (Big Brother South Africa, Lip Sync Battle Africa) and marks the 11th adaptation of the international hit reality show.
The Bridge sees strangers join forces in a remote wilderness location to complete an epic challenge that will test their physical strength and mental acuity. Contestants must work together to build a bridge of several hundred meters long to an island, where a cash prize of R1-million is hidden. But just one contestant will walk away with the prize and they must decide whether to share it or take it all for themselves.
The Bridge is an original Banijay format, created by Zeppelin (Banijay Iberia), and has launched in Australia, Brazil and the UK, where it returned with a second season in 2022 and was number one in the slot for younger viewers, increasing the usual slot norm significantly. The new South African iteration follows the four new adaptations 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,” says Pelser. “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 stellar. “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,” Waldimar says. “No-one had any idea what they were entering for.”
The local adaptation of the series will include 11 episodes that will air on the channel from Thursday 26 October 2023 at 20:00.
The agreement was brokered by Robin Pollok, VP Sales of Banijay Rights for Africa, Middle East, Greece and Israel, who says: “The Bridge delivers a high-stakes reality competition packed with gripping challenges, in a breath-taking location that has proven to be popular with audiences around the world. We are excited to watch this incredible show travel to new horizons and license a format with kykNET for the first time. We are certain that viewers in South Africa will be equally captivated when it makes its debut.”
Die Brug is produced by Red Pepper Pictures. The series will be available on DStv Premium on kykNET (DStv Channel 144) from Thursday 26 October 2023, as well as live-streamed on the DStv App, and will also be available on DStv Catch Up after broadcast. Visit the kykNET website for exclusive show content and use #DieBrug to join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.