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Wednesday, 3 December 2025
The Asia TV Forum opens in Singapore this morning on an unscripted formats high for international distributors – Sony Pictures Entertainment arrives at the market with signed deals for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” for Japan, and the first “Shark Tank” adaptation in Taiwan; Korea picks a host for its adaptation of IDTV/All3media International’s “The Traitors”; while ITV Studios heads into the last market of the year with new deals for “The Voice” in Pakistan, Nepal and Mongolia. Full stories below…
“Who Wants to be a Millionaire” returns to Japan, Taiwan greenlights first “Shark Tank” adaptation, scripted remakes head to India – new Sony deals kick off ATF 2025
A new version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” is on its way in Japan along with the first adaptation of “Shark Tank” in Taiwan in deals that signal an extended life span for classic formats in the region. Neither market has ever rivalled the formats enthusiasm displayed in South and Southeast Asia, and the new pick-ups could open the door to change in North Asia.
“Who Wants to be A Millionaire Japan” returns to commercial network Fuji TV, which aired early versions of the format about 13 years ago. Kazunari Ninomiya will host the show. TX details have not been confirmed.
Taiwan rights for “Shark Tank” have been acquired by Videoland in Sony’s first unscripted deals in the country in almost two decades. Sony’s last adaptations in Taiwan were “The Dating Game” and “The Newlywed Game”, both produced approx 15 years ago.
Release dates have not been confirmed, but both are likely to launch in 2026. Shooting starts on the Fuji TV special in January 2026.
“These are the right sort of shows for this moment in time,” says Adam Herr, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Singapore-based SVP of Distribution for the Asia-Pacific region.
“Both tap into the key trends of recent years: “Shark Tank” is an aspirational format which allows anyone to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and financial independence, while “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is a fun, easy to watch quiz show that in Japan will evoke nostalgia as people harken back to the original show in the early 2000s with the original beloved host, Monta Mino,” he added.
In India, adaptations of scripted titles “Doc” and “Party of Five” have been greenlit for Sony Pictures Networks India’s (SPNI) 2026 schedule. Details of the airdates and episodes have not yet been released.
Sony adapted “Everybody Loves Raymond” for Star TV in 2015/6, and also made five seasons of “I Dream of Jeannie” for SPNI networks.
Cha Seung-won to host the first “The Traitors Korea”
Korean actor Cha Seung-won will host the Korean version of IDTV’s format “The Traitors”, which is in production by Luyworks Media and Something Special in partnership with All3media International. The Korean deal for "The Traitors" was announced during MIPCOM last year.
Cha has appeared in “The Greatest Love”, “Our Blues” and “The Tyrant” as well as unscripted shows such as “Infinite Challenge”, “Three Meals a Day” and “Korean Hostel in Spain”.
“The Traitors Korea” is executive produced by Yul Han, CEO of Luyworks Media, which was behind "Physical 100".
Following the November success of his original format “Unforgettable Duet” in Korea, Something Special president, Jin Woo Hwang, this morning called the local version of “The Traitors” “the next step forward” for K-entertainment production.
The Korean platform has not been disclosed.
The deal was done by Tony Ziran Tang, All3media’s Vice President, Sales Asia – Finished and Formats.
ITV Studios kicks off ATF with multiple deals for “The Voice”; new versions head for Nepal, Pakistan and Mongolia
“The Voice” and “The Voice Kids” return to Nepal in ITV Studios’ renewals with Himalaya TV, while in Mongolia, Mongol TV is bringing back “The Voice Kids” for a second season.
The deals were brokered by Ayesha Surty, ITV Studios’ head of brand partnerships in Asia, and follow news of the first version of the Pakistan adaptation of “The Voice” with Karachi-based regional media company Contenue. "The Voice Pakistan" is scheduled to air in 2026.
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