The BBC’s International reality TV format Dancing with the Stars is coming to Thailand, thanks to a partnership between BBC Worldwide and Thailand’s locally owned hotel brand, Amari. The new series (7 x 90’ episodes) will premiere on Channel 7 in January 2013. 

The Thai series will be independently produced by Metine Company Ltd and Kantana Group PLC while being funded by advertising. Amari will feature in ad breaks throughout the series and will have logo signage within the show. With the addition of Thailand, there are now 43 local productions of Dancing with the Stars around the world spanning six continents.

“This is an exciting deal for us as it reaffirms the global popularity of the format. We were really keen to work with a local partner using a funding model that has huge success in this market. Many of our commercial rivals have benefited with advertiser-funded models in Asia and we’re looking forward to creating our own success story at BBC Worldwide, starting with Dancing with the Stars in Thailand,” said Richard Halliwell, Commercial Director for Dancing with the Stars at BBC Worldwide.

Commenting on the partnership, Peter Henley, President and CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group, owners of the Amari hotel chain, said: “What better way to bring the colours and rhythms of modern Asia to life than through the medium of dance and music. We look forward to embracing Dancing with the Stars and introducing the energy and excitement of the show to our Amari guests and the Thai viewing public.”

Dancing with the Stars is one of BBC Worldwide’s global brands and in 2010 was named the world’s most successful reality TV format in the Guinness Book of Records. Local versions air in countries as diverse as Lebanon, Russia and China. Season 14 in the United States attracted an average of 18 million viewers each night; while in France, the show is currently No.1 in its time slot with an audience of over 5.5 million.