or


[01/31/12 - 06:01 AM]
Electus International Acquires Global Distribution Rights for Two Reality Series From Howard Schultz's Lighthearted Entertainment
On tap are "Next," which originally aired on MTV in 2007-2008, and Anything for You," a new studio game show concept.

[via press release from Electus]

Electus International Acquires Global Distribution Rights for Two Reality Series From Howard Schultz's Lighthearted Entertainment

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2012 -- Ben Silverman's multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today announced that its global distribution arm, Electus International, has acquired the global distribution rights for two titles from Howard Schultz's Lighthearted Entertainment, Next and Anything for You.

Next, one of the premiere dating show formats, co-created and produced by Howard Schultz's Lighthearted Entertainment (Extreme Home Makeover, The Moment of Truth), originally aired on MTV in 2007-2008 as the highest-rated show in the history of the network in that time period. This unique speed-dating show features five single contestants who compete to see who will last the longest on a date. The longer they spend on the date, the more cash they have the opportunity to win. The only catch is, if the date is not going well, they can be immediately replaced with the next contestant. But, if they're chosen for a second date, they have the option to decide to either take the money and run, or try again for true love.

Anything for You is a new studio game show concept where the contestant has the opportunity to win $250,000 just by answering thirteen multiple choice questions. If they get any questions wrong, it's up to a group of their close friends and family to keep them in the game by completing a series of outrageous challenges.

"Howard is the master at creating innovative formats that change the global television landscape, as we've seen through worldwide sensations Extreme Makeover and The Moment Of Truth," said John Pollak, President of Electus International."Given this successful track record and Howard's vision, we are incredibly excited to bring Next and Anything for You to our international clients."

"John is the best in the business when it comes to forming perfect partnerships with networks and production companies around the world, and we are proud to have Electus act as our distributors for these two projects," said Howard Schultz, President of Lighthearted Entertainment. "Next has already been produced in four countries and has been a hit in each one of them, and Anything for You is the next big format for the world that will easily translate across any country or culture."

About Electus

Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC (NASDAQ: IACI), the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus' programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com.

About Lighthearted Entertainment

Lighthearted Entertainment was established in 1992 by CEO Howard Schultz as an independently-owned television production company, specializing in all forms of non-scripted programming. Lighthearted Entertainment has created and produced literally thousands of hours of very diverse television shows for cable, syndicated and network television, including the recent worldwide television smash hits: FOX's THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, ABC's EXTREME MAKEOVER, and MTV's NEXT!. Lighthearted Entertainment is involved creatively in the productions for all of the shows they create and produce, and they own the formats for nearly all of their properties. Its string of highly rated, long-running reality shows, many of which have gone on to inspire similar shows, is unparalleled in the industry.





  [january 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[05/07/26 - 12:21 PM]
FOX Television Network Renews "Murder in a Small Town" for Season Three
Joining the cast is Peter Gallagher as Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure.

[05/07/26 - 11:01 AM]
First Look & Date Announcement - Hulu Original "Hannah Berner: None of My Business"
The special will premiere on Friday, June 5 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.

[05/07/26 - 10:46 AM]
CNN Original Series "This Land" Premieres Sunday, June 7 at 9pm ET/PT
Produced by October Films, the series will air two episodes weekly on Sundays at 9pm and 10pm ET/PT on CNN.

[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

[05/07/26 - 10:02 AM]
New Episode Of HBO Original Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts May 22
The first four episodes of the series are currently available to stream on HBO Max.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets June 12 Premiere Date for Visceral and Haunting Drama "The Listeners," Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall
Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's bestselling novel of the same name, the female-driven series centers on Claire Kutty, a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a low, persistent hum that no one else around her can hear.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Performers Announced for "The 52nd American Music Awards" Live Monday, May 25
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots will all deliver can't-miss performances featuring some of today's biggest hits and fan favorites.

[05/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, "The American Revolution."

[05/07/26 - 09:06 AM]
Tubi Greenlights YA Original Film "Sidelined 3" as Final Installment of the Hit Franchise
Stars Noah Beck and Siena Agudong are confirmed to reprise their roles as Drayton and Dallas, with Charlie Gillespie also returning in his role as Skyler.

[05/07/26 - 09:04 AM]
Video: "Wonder Dogs" - Official Promo - Wonder Project
Six ranchers. Six puppies from the same litter. One year to turn them into working dogs - and one will be crowned Wonder Dog champion.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Commentator Roster for 2026 Roland-Garros
Live coverage from Paris will be presented across TNT, truTV and HBO Max in the U.S., combining elite match analysis, signature studio programming and expansive cross-platform storytelling.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 Trailer & Key Art Announcement
This season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 23.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Partners with The White House on New "Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans" Initiative
At the heart of the initiative is a series of first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases New Teaser and Images for the Upcoming Original Series "Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," Featuring President Obama and Larry David
In addition to David, the series will feature select "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actors and noteworthy guest stars.

[05/07/26 - 09:00 AM]
E! Greenlights "Cocktail Wars" Hosted by Lance Bass and Joey Fatone
The series pits America's buzziest mixologists against each other in a lively, high-stakes showdown for $10,000 per episode.