'Dancing With The Stars' quick steps into Thailand

MUMBAI: The BBC?s International reality TV format ?Dancing With The Stars? is to be brought to life in Thailand. BBC Worldwide has inked a deal with Thailand?s locally owned hotel brand Amari.

The new series will premiere on Channel 7 in January 2013 with seven episodes.

The Thai series will be independently produced by Metine Company (MCL) and Kantana Group and 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.

BBC Worldwide commercial director for ?Dancing with the Stars? Richard Halliwell said: ?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.?

Owners of the Amari hotel chain Onyx Hospitality Group president, CEO Peter Henley said: ?We are thrilled to be partnering with BBC Worldwide to bring such a globally successful TV show to Thailand. 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.?