Abacus to distribute “The Masked Dancer UK” globally

Abacus Media Rights (AMR), an Amcomri Entertainment company, has secured the international distribution rights (outside the UK) for the new entertainment series The Masked Dancer UK.  

Available from late spring 2021, The Masked Dancer UK (7 x 90’) is to be produced by Bandicoot Scotland, part of the Argonon group.  Hosted by Joel Dommett, the celebrity panellists include renowned dancer and Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, award-winning British broadcaster Jonathan Ross, much-loved TV presenter Davina McCall and British stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan.

The series will feature mystery celebrities performing unique dances whilst covered from head-to-toe in extravagant, colourful and elaborate costumes and masks, leaving audiences and star panel to guess their identities. Costumed celebrities will step onto the dance floor joined by masked partners and back-up dancers, as they perform a series of dances together; spanning from ballet to ballroom, salsa to swing and everything in between.  Each week, a series of clues will be sprinkled throughout the packages, leading the panellists one step closer to figuring out which famous faces are freestyling behind the masks.

Abacus has already sold The Masked Singer UK to Virgin – Ireland, Game TV – Canada, BBC BRIT- South Africa, and Stöð 2 – Iceland with more deals in the pipeline.

The Masked Singer UK (8 x 90’) is a format originally imported from South Korea with local versions already airing in 30 territories. The series was recently crowned the winner for Best Entertainment at the Royal Television Society Awards 2021.

Jonathan Ford, Managing Director of Abacus Media Rights commented, “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to offer The Masked Dancer UK from Bandicoot and Argonon to our clients in addition to the first two series of The Masked Singer UK.  This unique concept appeals to viewers and to major artistes alike – it’s fun, bright and shiny entertainment for everyone.  It also gives broadcasters a great opportunity to engage with their audiences through social channels to build interest around the show as it airs.”

Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton from Bandicoot added: “The massive success of first two series of The Masked Singer UK shows that viewers have taken TV’s greatest guessing game to their hearts.  The Masked Dancer UK has all the mystery and mayhem of the original format and families once again will be desperate to find out who’s behind the mask!”

Founded in 2017 by Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton in a joint venture with Argonon, the award-winning Bandicoot TV devises and produces entertainment and factual entertainment formats.  In addition to producing two series of The Masked Singer UK for ITV, with the first season winning the prestigious RTS Programme Award – Entertainment and an RTS Craft & Design Award in 2020 for Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama, Bandicoot has been commissioned to produce ITV Hub series The Masked Singer: Unmasked.  Other commissions have included two series of Test Drive for BBC Scotland for which it has been nominated in the entertainment category at the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2020, and Chase the Case, a 20-part series for BBC One. Bandicoot has a number of new projects in development.