BBC America Warms Up Deals For 'Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares' Series

Network Acquires Rights To Fifth Season Of U.K. Version Of Show, Second Season Of U.S. Edition

MCN Staff -- Multichannel News, 11/2/2009 4:58:24 PM

BBCA America has acquired a pair of Gordon Ramsey series-- one from the U.K., the other from the U.S.
The network has acquired the U.S. premiere of a new, shorter season, of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares from the U.K., as well as the cable premiere of the second season of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares U.S. Deal terms were not disclosed.
The fifth season of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmare premieres Dec. 2, 8 p.m. (ET/PT), while the sophomore campaign of the U.S. show bows Dec. 16 at the same time.
During season five of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the chef, over a pair of 60-minute instalments, takes on two struggling ventures, both on the brink of collapse. With soaring food prices, thrifty clientele and unrelenting competition, he's determined to galvanize the owners, the staff and the local community to ensure their survival and keep customers coming back for more. The show is produced and distributed by Optomen Television.
With the sophomore run of the American version of the show, Ramsey mixes his abrasive tell-it-like-it-is straight talking and inspirational leadership, as he helps revamp restaurants in the Midwest, New York and California. The dozen one-hour episodes are a co-production of Granada America and Optomen Television in association with A. Smith & Co, distributed by ITV Global.