Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Media Group’s children’s production and distribution arm, has inked a deal with Disney XD and CiTV in the UK for a new kid’s version of the legendary adventure game show Fort Boyard. Disney XD has licensed and CiTV has commissioned two 10 x 30’ series to air on Disney’s cable and satellite TV channel - Disney XD around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and to premiere on CiTV in the UK. Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge will be produced by Zodiak Media Group production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions (ALP) who created the concept and have been producing the series for 22 years. Nigel Pickard CEO Zodiak MEAA/UK Family and Kids and Karen Vermeulen, SVP Global Sales and Coproduction, Zodiak Kids brokered the deal with Disney XD.

Fort Boyard is the most successful adventure game show in the world having sold to over 30 territories, whilst dominating France 2’s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. This brand new kid’s version of Fort Boyard will be set in the majestic 19th Century Napoleonic sea fort where the adult versions for countries all around the globe are produced. This bespoke series will consist of a tournament where mixed teams of US and UK contestants compete in the ultimate quest to reveal Fort Boyard’s hidden treasure. It will be presented by actor Geno Segers (Disney XD’s Pair of Kings) and Laura Hamilton (Dancing On Ice, Wake Up World, Toonattik). It will be shot on location off La Rochelle, on the West Coast of France this summer and will premiere on Disney XD in the US and on CiTV in the UK and roll out globally thereafter.

Nigel Pickard, comments: “Fort Boyard is the epitome of quest programming and we can’t wait to let kids join in for the first time in this ultimate adventure game show. We are very excited to be producing the series in partnership with Disney and CiTV to bring Fort Boyard to a whole new audience.”

Franck Firmin Guion, CEO Adventure Line Productions, adds: “Set in an unrivalled location, Fort Boyard is a successful, unique, innovative and ever-evolving format. Aiming at kids for the first time, this collaboration with Disney and CiTV, adds to the extensive list of international versions that have been produced for more than 20 years. We now hope to open the doors of the Fort to as many kids as possible, from all over the world.”

Jamila Metran, Programme Manager CiTV adds: “We are delighted to be broadcasting the first kids’ version of the phenomenally successful format - Fort Boyard. The series will encapsulate all of the exciting challenges that the show is renowned for and I am sure kids and parents alike, will delight in watching the revival of such a famous format which will premiere on CiTV in the UK.”

Executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde For ALP and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay. Zodiak Rights, part of Zodiak Media Group, control all worldwide finished programme and format rights for Fort Boyard.