The Donald may soon be teaching them a thing or two abroad as well.
Fremantle Media has secured international rights to license "The Apprentice" -- the NBC hit featuring tycoon Donald Trump -- to stations abroad from Mark Burnett Prods.
Fremantle, which handles "Pop Idol" around the world, trumped various other contenders, including Canadian format specialist Distraction and NBC Enterprises, offering up about $5 million for the privilege.
(Mark Burnett confirmed the deal, but as to the price, quipped, "Is that all (we're getting)?")
Burnett's company has already sealed several "hybrid" deals in key territories (with Global in Canada, Network Nine in Australia and TF1 in France) whereby the original Donald and a local format are both envisioned. (In those cases, Fremantle, which has production operations scattered around the globe, will be the local producer.)
Burnett says that like "Survivor" in some foreign territories, he can envision versions with both the original Donald and a local homegrown Trump airing successfully. "I see 'The Apprentice" as a real worldwide franchise."
Burnett says his team settled on Fremantle because of its bid, its people and its worldwide reach. The distribber will launch sales at the upcoming Mip TV show in Cannes.
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