CBS Orders Another Reality Competition From Mark Burnett
The network is making moves in unscripted, ordering its second series from the MGM Television exec in as many weeks.
CBS is really looking for a new reality franchise. The network of Survivor and Big Brother has ordered its second unscripted series in a month — another project from industry vet Mark Burnett.
The tentatively titled TKO has received a ten-episode order at the broadcast network, which plans to air the first run in summer 2018. Described as an obstacle course series where one player is pitted against their competitors trying to thwart their attempts, a network note on Tuesday dubbed it "physical and funny."
“Mark Burnett is a master at creating exciting competitions that make for entertaining television,” said CBS SVP of alternative programming Sharon Vuong. “We are thrilled to partner with him and his team on this wild and fun summer series.”
Burnett, behind CBS' long-running Survivor franchise, brought another MGM Television-produced series to the network just two weeks ago. The World's Best is described as global talent competition that features acts from every genre imaginable. CBS, which does well in traditional competition and docuseries, currently lacks any sort of talent series. TKO, on the other hand, is very much in its lane.
“TKO is unlike any other competition show on television," said Burnett, president of MGM Television. "It’s an obstacle course meets dodgeball. It will create amazing viral moments. I’ve got a great history with CBS, and I’m excited to be premiering this summer.”
MGM keeps international distribution rights to the format. Burnett and Barry Poznick serve as executive producers. It was created by Steve Hughes and Sean Kelly of Shaggy Entertainment.
