Singapore − Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), announced its original series smash and social media sensation, Lip Sync Battle is set to make a big entry into Asia. VIMN Asia has signed a landmark production deal with online media giant, Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ:SOHU) in China, enabling Sohu to produce the Chinese format adaptation of Spike TV’s sensation, Lip Sync Battle. The Chinese format will be made available on tv.sohu.com, 56.com and other Sohu-owned digital platforms, which will reach over 600 million users in China. The highly anticipated Viacom original series is set to also debut in Asia on weekdays on Comedy Central starting 28 July.
Sohu.com will be producing 13 episodes of Lip Sync Battle China, which is based on the pop culture phenomenon of lip sync battling. Resulting from the incredible success of the debut season of the Spike U.S. show, which launched in March 2015 and averaged an audience of 3+million viewers a week across its 18 episode run, Viacom’s biggest unscripted launch ever is now preparing for local production in several international markets.
Caroline Beaton, SVP International Programme Sales, VIMN said, “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Sohu to bring Lip Sync Battle to its 600 million subscribers. With China’s formidable pool of top music and entertainment talent, we are in no doubt the show will thrive in the market and become a firm favourite on Sohu’s digital platforms.”
The original series is set to also debut in Asia on weekdays on Comedy Central starting 28 July at 7.30pm (TH/WIB), 8.30pm (HK/PH/SG/TW) and 9.30pm (MY). The first season comprises 10 episodes with an extended eight episodes. The first three episodes in Asia will feature Jimmy Fallon vs. Dwayne Johnson, Anna Kendrick vs. John Krasinski, and Anne Hathaway vs. Emily Blunt.
Based on the pop culture phenomenon of lip sync battling, the Spike original series features celebrities going head to head – lip-syncing the song of their choice – battling for the coolest bragging rights on the planet. Among the talent who appeared in Season 1 included Dwayne Johnson, John Legend, Anne Hathaway, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Blunt, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Anna Kendrick, Mike Tyson, and Queen Latifah. The series is a ratings and multiplatform superstar for Spike and is the most-watched original series in network history, averaging 3 million viewers. Lip Sync Battle also has delivered a staggering 177 million cross-platform streams across Spike’s owned and operated properties as well as Facebook and YouTube, with Anne Hathaway’s “wrecking ball” clip alone garnering 15 million. Lip Sync Battle is hosted by LL COOL J and executive produced by Casey Patterson, Jay Peterson of Matador Content, John Krasinski, Stephen Merchant, and Eight Million Plus Productions.
It was announced in April that the show has been renewed for a second season of 20 episodes which will premiere in the U.S. in 2016.
