Survivor is returning to our screens after the BBC announced that the popular American show is being rebooted in the UK – but did you know it had a feud with another reality TV series?
One year after I’m A Celeb launched on ITV, US network ABC decided to pick up the series to broadcast its own version in the states.
This didn’t bode well with Survivor Productions and CBS however, who thought that I’m A Celeb was too similar to their own programme.
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Both included a format that saw contestants taken to a remote location, where they faced a number of challenges and eliminations throughout the series – with the hope of winning a huge cash prize at the end.
(Image: PA)
However, one of the biggest differences between the two shows was that the TV viewers voted contestants out of the I’m A Celeb jungle, whereas fellow contestants voted their peers out on Survivor.
ABC originally planned to broadcast 15 episodes of I’m A Celeb, but they met a legal battle from fellow network CBS, who broadcast Survivor.
CBS claimed to New York Post: “Celebrity’ is based on a successful British version that recently wrapped up its run after screening episodes filmed in the Australian Outback – near the site used in the second season of “Survivor.”
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Entertainment Weekly reported at the time that CBS and Survivor Productions subsequently threatened ABC and UK producer Granada with legal action, and sent them a letter to request that I’m A Celeb was not broadcast in the states.
Their letter reportedly requested that ABC and Granada not to “broadcast or license in the United States any programming that is based in whole or part on the ‘Celebrity’ series or that otherwise infringes any intellectual property rights in ‘Survivor.”
Following the letter, ABC spokesperson Kevin Brookman spoke to Variety and stated that they did not feel I’m A Celeb infringed Survivor’s rights.
”We just received the letter, and we’re in discussions with Granada about it and will decide upon a course of action once those discussions are completed.”
A spokesperson for Granada also told The Associated Press: “We made clear to… Castaway that we don’t consider our program in any way infringes their rights in ‘Survivor.”
However, following a court case between networks CBS and ABC, it was ruled by a US district judge that I’m A Celeb was not a direct copy of the Survivor format owned by Castaway Productions.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
“Both shows combine well-known and frequently used elements of earlier works. Each series also includes well-known elements not in the other,” said the judge.
They also added that the two series were also very different in tone, with I’m a Celebrity… notably more light hearted than Survivor.
Following the decision, a Granada spokesperson said in a statement: “We’re absolutely delighted and we’re convinced that this decision would be repeated in any other court.
“We’ve now got plans to sell and make the programme in all the other territories around the world.”
CBS respected the ruling in a statement, adding: “The judge ruled that due to its quality and tone, the ABC program is substantially different than Survivor.
“We respect the ruling and are now studying our options.”
ABC later broadcast a series of I’m A Celeb in the same year, with a second series following in 2009, with both featuring huge stars including Caitlyn Jenner and Spencer Pratt.
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However, with I’m A Celeb due to return to our screens later this year and Survivor being rebooted for the BBC following a successful UK version from 2001 to 2002, will the two shows come head to head in a ratings battle in the future?
Viewers will have to wait and see.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
