MUMBAI: Indonesian broadcaster, Indosiar will launch the local version of Emmy-winning US sitcom The Nanny on September 25, 2006. The half hour series will air on the terrestrial TV channel at 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

This will be the first scripted adaptation in Asia (excluding India and Japan) from Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), which has, over the past year, made significant headway in local production projects in the region.

The Indonesian version, called Si Neny, is being produced by Indosiar in the local language, Bahasa Indonesia. The original Sheffield family from the US has been transformed into the Ferdy family in Indonesia. The head of the family is played by film and TV actor Ferry Salim (Ca Bau Kan, Istri Pilihan) who is also one of two Indonesian ambassadors for UNICEF. The Nanny is played by Thessa Kaunang, an Indonesian supermodel who has made a name for herself as a comedian and TV personality. Finally, Lia Afi, who plays the role of the eldest daughter, is an upcoming singer.

SPTI has been working closely with Indosiar’s production team over the past year to ensure the show captures the look, feel and attitude of the original while enhancing it with local flavors to make it more credible and appealing to the Indonesian audience.

“We are very excited about Si Neny and proud to partner with Indosiar in bringing this much-loved character and story to the Indonesian audience. The format has demonstrated universal appeal with successful local adaptations around the world and we look forward to its Asian debut,” said Sony Pictures Television International senior VP and MD(Asia) Todd Miller.

“As one of the major broadcasters in Indonesia, we are very pleased to have SPTI entrust us with their valuable The Nanny format. In addition, our cooperation with SPTI has enhanced our in-house production capabilities and brought it to an international standard of quality. We believe Si Neny's story will resonate with the Indonesian audience since, in our culture, almost every family has a nanny helping with out with daily life,” PT Indosiar program director Triandy Suyatman.

SPTI has already produced extremely successful local adaptations of The Nanny in seven countries outside the US. The comedy has morphed into Dadi in Turkey, Nyanya in Russia, Ntavta in Greece, Niania in Poland and La Ninera in Argentina, Ecuador and Mexico.