Activision, You Are The Strongest Link!

BBC Multimedia has signed a deal with Activision, licensing certain interactive publishing rights for BBC ONE's The Weakest Link to the international games publishing company.

Under the terms of the deal, Activision has acquired the rights to develop, publish and distribute interactive games based on the license for the PC and console platforms, as well as options to roll out separate localised versions for international territories. The game will be rolled out internationally to coincide with the show's sale to other countries by BBC Worldwide.

The Weakest Link gives contestants the challenge of working together to acquire a single pool of money before the end of each round. At the end of each round, each contestant must vote one team member out of the competition in an aggressive survival-style format until only one remains.

Having become one of the BBC's hottest new properties, ratings for the televisions show have been steadily climbing to take a larger slice of the audience share than other programmes in this genre. Figures revealed that The Weakest Link's final round on 12 February pulled 39% of the TV audience. BBC ONE controller Lorraine Heggessey said it confirmed their show's popularity.

The Weakest Link will be available on PC CD-ROM, Sony PlayStation 2 and Sony PS one (PlayStation) later this year, with the first titles expected to ship in October in the UK. The deal also grants Activision options for other specified platforms, including Microsoft X-Box, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Gamecube, Nintendo Game Boy Color and N64.

"This announcement comes on the heels of the tremendous success that BBC Worldwide has had in selling the format of The Weakest Link game show to other countries," commented Dave Lee, Director of BBC Multimedia. "There was intense competition to secure a licensing deal with the BBC for this great brand. Activision is a solid international company which has demonstrated to us that it is able to meet the challenges associated with launching one of our premier properties. We are confident that they can develop quality games based around our brand for the approved PC and console formats."

Ron Doornink, President and COO, Activision, Inc. states: "We are very excited to team up with such a renowned partner as BBC Worldwide to develop one of its top brands into interactive games. Activision's success in building mass-market brands and our international strength makes us an ideal partner for BBC Worldwide. We will be able recreate the thrill of being a contestant on The Weakest Link. Players will be able to face off against other opponents and experience the biting wit of Anne Robinson from the comfort of their own living room."

Broadcast in the UK on BBC ONE and BBC TWO in late afternoon and primetime slots, The Weakest Link has attracted viewers of over eight million people. The show's brusque host, Anne Robinson, has become a household name in the UK with her new catch phrases and sharp commentary. Robinson aggressively exposes contestants' weaknesses throughout the programme. The show has become a part of British pop culture and spawned the new catchphrases "You are the weakest link, goodbye" and "It's time to vote off the weakest link".

Outside the UK, BBC Worldwide has concluded deals in the US (where Anne Robinson will present the show on NBC) and in Australia where the show commenced transmission in February. In addition, BBC Worldwide is working with BBC Production and local broadcasters to recreate the television series in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Israel, Portugal and India and is also in talks with broadcasters in a number of other territories.