Los Angeles – Hit reality format Grandpas Over Flowers, also known as NBC ratings smash Better Late Than Never, is now set for adaptation in Italy, it was announced by Los Angeles and London based format company Small World IFT.

The deal, brokered by Small World in collaboration with Endemol Shine Italy, will see a local version of the show making its Italian debut on RAI 2 in 2017. The series will be produced by Endemol Shine Italy. This latest adaptation follows the recent recommission of a second season of US version Better Late Than Never by NBC, following the huge success of the first series earlier this year, which topped the ratings charts in its 10pm slot across the whole season.

Created by CJ E&M Corporation, the original Grandpas Over Flowers secured record-breaking ratings on tvN in South Korea for three seasons. The heart-warming reality format features four veteran stars and their porter as they hit the road on a fish-out-of-water backpacking adventure of a lifetime, navigating unfamiliar cultures and settings as they travel to various countries and fulfil challenges to tick off their “bucket list”. In the US the series featured renowned actors William Shatner and Henry Winkler, American football legend Terry Bradshaw and world champion boxer George Foreman, who are all confirmed to return for the second season.

Tim Crescenti, President at Small World IFT, said, “I’m very excited to see the success of Grandpas Over Flowers build with this first commission in Europe. We have created a new genre of unscripted comedy combining humour, entertainment and adventure, as viewers get to follow these living legends on a journey of a lifetime that sees them learning as much about themselves as they do about new cultures. Grandpas Over Flowers is an inspiring, funny and an across-the-board family ratings smash. We can’t wait to take the Italian viewers on this fandamntastic viaggio! ”