BBC and ITV join forces to work on adapting dramas for Indian markets

In an unusual event two traditional rivals BBC studios and ITV Studios have signed a pact to co-produce several dramas for the Indian market.

The one-of-a-kind deal will initially involve the two companies adapting four ITV Studio dramas for the Indian market. The first titles to be adapted include Gold Digger, Sticks and Stones, Trauma and 35 Days. Aside from these Hindi-language adaptations, BBC Studios is also interested in tapping into the large regional markets of Tamil and Telugu.

In an interview, Augustus Dulgaro, executive VP, distribution, Asia Pacific at ITV Studios expressed, “Working with BBC Studios India will only strengthen what we can both achieve in the region. These are really powerful stories, full of themes that matter to all of us – betrayal, love, family intrigue and loss. I’m very much looking forward to seeing our IP repurposed for South Asian audiences.”

BBC Studios has prior experience in adapting British dramas tailored for the Indian Market. It has helmed the adaptation of Criminal Justice for Disney+Hotstar, which was a huge success, even racking up a second season. Out of Love, another adaptation of the BBC television series Doctor Foster was curated by the studio for Indian audiences, streaming on Disney+Hotstar.

Talking about the adaptations of British dramas in an interview, Sameer Gogate, general manager of BBC Studios India Productions, said, “British dramas really resonate with Indian audiences, as we have seen with the success of ‘Criminal Justice’ and ‘Doctor Foster’ and will see with these ITV Studios dramas, which have all the twists and turns of a gripping story that you could hope for. I am looking forward to reproducing them for the Indian market and developing a deeper relationship with our British TV counterparts, with our shared mission to take exceptional premium content to the rest of the world.”

“We have carefully curated the portfolio and believe there is real scope to find the right talent and partners to bring proven hits to a fresh fanbase,” added Giles Ridge, SVP of scripted formats at ITV Studios.