BBC AMERICA LAUNCHES U.S. PRODUCTION OF COME DINE WITH ME

- Also acquires UK version for BBC AMERICA in July -

New York - May 26, 2010 - BBC AMERICA today announced an independent production venture, ordering 10 one-hour episodes of a U.S. version of the worldwide hit cooking show, Come Dine With Me. Produced by ITV Studios, shooting begins later this summer in participant's homes across the NY-metro area.

Set to premiere in early 2011 on BBC AMERICA, the U.S. version will also broadcast to international audiences via BBC Worldwide's channel brands, BBC Lifestyle (in Asia, Africa, Poland, Scandinavia) and BBC Entertainment (in Latin America). In addition, BBC AMERICA has acquired from ITV Studios Global Entertainment, 22 U.S. premiere episodes of the UK version of Come Dine With Me which begin airing July 7, 9:00p.m. ET/PT.

Come Dine With Me follows amateur chefs competing for the title of the ultimate dinner party host. Each episode brings together four strangers who take turns cooking up their idea of the perfect evening. Each competitor then rates the host's performance and the winner is rewarded with the 'ultimate dinner party host' title and a hefty prize.

The deal was brokered by Michael Ross, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations, BBC Worldwide America, Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President, Programming, BBC AMERICA and Ivan Garel-Jones, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs, Non-Scripted for ITV Studios.

Richard De Croce, Senior Vice President, Programming, BBC AMERICA says: "We are thrilled to be bringing the UK version of Come Dine With Me here and to have the opportunity to make a localized U.S. version for our audience. Come Dine With Me is an addictive and entertaining format whose amusing and often inspiring attempts by people trying to out-wine and out-dine each other, are relatable for audiences everywhere."

Paul Buccieri, CEO ITV Studios, Inc said "Come Dine With Me is a terrific format, successful in over 20 territories around the world. I am delighted to be bringing it to the U.S. and to be working with the BBC AMERICA team at the start of what I hope is a long mutually successful relationship."

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 67 million homes.

ITV Studios, Inc. is one of the largest international producers for the US market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for US networks.

Since launching in 2004, ITV Studios (formerly know as Granada America) has become a leading producer of reality and scripted programming in the US with a slate of successful formats in production with major US networks, including Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares for Fox, Celebrity Fit Club for VH1, Four Weddings for TLC, I'm a Celebrity� Get Me Out of Here! for NBC, WCG: Ultimate Gamer for SyFy, Danger Coast for CMT, Steven Segal: Lawman, and The First 48 series' for A&E.

ITV Studios is a world leader in television production and distribution, with international production centers in the UK, Germany and Australia as well as America and programs distributed to over 155 territories worldwide.