MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has signed new deals with Astro in Asia for ‘The Money Drop’ and ‘Fear Factor’.

Malaysian broadcaster, Astro Ria has ordered a prime time series of ‘Fear Factor’, marking a comeback for the format in Asia. Launching later this year, the 13-part celebrity series will be filmed in Cape Town produced by Endemol Malaysia Entertainment Group in conjunction with Endemol South Africa. The format was last produced in Asia in 2009.

Astro Ria has also ordered a 26 part second series of ‘The Money Drop’, which will air in a prime time spot later this year. The new Malaysian series will once again incorporate the Play Along game, where viewers at home can mirror the white knuckle decisions made by players in the studio. Both this game and the returning Stand Alone were hugely popular during the first series.

Endemol Asia CEO Arjen van Mierlo said, “ ‘Fear Factor’ and ‘The Money Drop’ are among the biggest hits created by Endemol and we’re delighted to have them in peak time slots on a leading regional broadcast such as Astro. I’m especially pleased to sign these deals ahead of MIPCOM, where both shows continue to be among our market highlights.”

‘The Money Drop’ has now been sold in over 40 territories across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, CIS territories, Asia and the South Pacific. The online game has generated over 17 million game plays.

‘Fear Factor’ has sold into over 150 countries with local versions produced in over 30 territories. The format returned to Cannes at MIPTV 2012 following its ratings success on NBC in the US.

Elsewhere in Asia, Endemol has signed new deals in Vietnam, where HTV7 has recommissioned 52 new episodes of Deal or No Deal and VTV3 have reordered a 52 part series of 1 vs. 100.

Other recent commissions in the region include ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar‘, which was sold to Hunan Broadcasting in China. The series launched on the channel in July.