A+E Networks® Global Content Sales has sold its global hit format Alone, the self-shot ultimate survival competition series that has been a critical and ratings success for eight seasons on The HISTORY® Channel in the US, to leading broadcaster SBS in Australia. The news was announced today by Glen Hansen, SVP of Content Sales Asia-Pacific at A+E Networks International.
Alone Australia will see ten Australian survivalists dropped into the Australian wilderness, where they’ll be challenged by the merciless forces of nature and hunger, and perhaps the toughest challenge of all: isolation. With a life-changing cash prize up for grabs, anything could happen.
Alone Australia will be the fourth international version of the format and will be produced by ITV Studios Australia. In addition to its long-running success in the United States, Alone’s Danish iteration, Alene I Vildmarken, has enjoyed five successful seasons to date, with the latest premiering as number one in its time slot in 2021, and a sixth season premiering in 2022. Norway premiered its version of the format, Alene, in 2017, while the Swedish version, Ensam I Vildmarken, debuted on Discovery+ Sweden in 2021.
“The success of Alone across different languages, cultures, and territories is a testament to the global resonance of this powerful format. Australia, with its beautiful, rugged and diverse geography, has a long history of incredibly unique and adept wilderness survival experts who will undoubtedly bring another level of authenticity, richness, and colorful real-life drama to the screen, and we could not think of a better location to produce a local version of Alone. We could also not be more thrilled to see it come to fruition with our great partners at SBS,” said Hansen.
“SBS is thrilled to secure the exclusive rights to commission an Australian version of worldwide sensation Alone,” said SBS Acting Director of Television and Online Content Chris Irvine. “We are the industry leaders in original documentaries that celebrate the diversity of Australia and our audience is insatiably curious about the world around them – people, culture and nature. The hit series is the most successful factual franchise in the history of SBS On Demand and we know Australians will be eager to see how ten of our own survivalists fight to survive the Australian wilderness in Alone Australia.”
“We are so excited to be tasked with capturing this intensely raw documentary series on behalf of SBS. Never attempted before on Australian television, Alone encapsulates all of human nature’s primal instincts of survival. There are no gimmicks, no crew, just complete wilderness and their fight to survive, alone. For the contestants, it will be their toughest challenge ever,” said CEO & Managing Director, David Mott, ITV Studios Australia.