Johannesburg, 9 February 2016: Viacom-owned youth entertainment channel MTV (DStv channel 130) it to produce a local version of Viacom’s global hit entertainment show, Lip Sync Battle Africa, it was revealed today on MTV’s social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook & online by US host LL Cool J.
Under a partnership with e.tv, this series will air on MTV (DStv channel 130) and sister channel MTV Base (DStv channel 322) before making its terrestrial premiere on e.tv.
Recorded in Johannesburg, the weekly show will go live in April 2015, with series 1 comprising of 13 half hour episodes featuring vocal showdowns between top celebrities and entertainment figures, complete with dancers, wigs, costumes, props and tons of swag. Each battle will consist of 2 celebrities “syncing” or miming to popular music tracks of their choice. Each contestant must sync to two songs – one of which will be by an African artist. The winner is chosen by the live studio audience.
Lip Sync Battle Africa will be hosted by two celebrities following in the footsteps of the US series, version starring LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen. Names of the local hosts will be announced at a later date.
Get your regular dose of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV every Thursday from 14 April at 20:50 CAT and on MTV Base at 11:30 CAT every Saturday from 16 April. e.tv viewers will be singing along every Saturday from 23 April at 18:30 CAT. Viewers will also be able to enjoy Lip Sync Battle Africa in HD (eHD) on both OpenView HD (Channel 104) and DStv (DStv Channel 194).
Lip Sync Battle is officially one of the most infectious formats ever to come out of the Viacom stable with nine signed local production deals in the UK, China, Chile, Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Norway, Poland and Vietnam.
Commented Dillon Khan, Head of MTV, Africa, “We are thrilled to partner with e.tv on localising Lip Sync Battle for an African audience, with its amazing energy and authentic charm that has celebrities lining up to take part and viewers clamouring for more.”
“We are extremely excited about this ground-breaking partnership. Lip Sync Battle Africa is a fresh and entertaining format, it’s an extension of e.tv’s goal to bring the viewers fresh home-grown content with a special twist,” says Monde Twala, MD: e.tv Channels Division.
For further information on Lip Sync Battle, please go to www.mtv.co.za, www.mtvbase.co.za and www.etv.co.za like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mtvza/ www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified and www.facebook.com/etvSA or follow @mtvza, @MTVBaseAfrica and @etvsa on Twitter and Instagram. To join the conversation about the show, please use the hashtag #LSBAfrica.
ENDS
