Steve Harvey announces plans to launch and host local african versions of Fremantle’s ‘Family Feud’

Family Feud, the widely popular international television game show, is coming to South Africa and Ghana, and award-winning entertainer, businessman and philanthropist STEVE HARVEY has confirmed that he will host both shows. In an unprecedented deal with the format owner, FREMANTLE, Steve Harvey’s international business and media company, STEVE HARVEY GLOBAL obtained the rights to license the format for the African versions of Family Feud. The local versions will be produced by Fremantle’s local production partner in the region, Rapid Blue.

Steve Harvey has hosted the American version of Family Feud with enormous success since 2010. The show has seen consecutive ratings increases over recent years with Harvey as host, and he is on track to become the longest-serving host in Family Feud history.

The iconic game show, in which two families compete to name the most popular responses to gathered survey questions in order to win cash and prizes is one of television's longest-running and top-rated game shows watched by audiences around the world. Family Feud was first introduced in the U.S. in 1976 and Fremantle has placed the much-loved game show in over 70 international markets to date including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, India, Indonesia, and the United States. Family Feud Africa will be the first international version of the popular show hosted by Steve Harvey.

“Bringing Family Feud to Africa has long been a dream of mine,” Steve Harvey said. “I believe Family Feud will become a household name for local South African and Ghanaian families. And this is just the beginning in Africa. I expect this show to lead to multiple media and business projects in and throughout the continent.”

The local version of Family Feud will commence production in Johannesburg in the last quarter of 2019 and will begin airing in Africa the second quarter of 2020. It will be produced locally by Rapid Blue. Rapid Blue, part of the BBC Studios international family of production companies, has a strong legacy of producing award-winning localized African versions of international formats, including Dancing with Stars, The X Factor, Got Talent, Shark Tank, Come Dine With Me, Project Runway and First Dates.

Duncan Irvine, CEO of Rapid Blue said, “We are thrilled to be working closely with Steve Harvey and his team to produce two African versions of Family Feud. Family is the cornerstone of life in South Africa and Ghana, and we are confident that we will see some wonderful families take part and that both seasons will resonate well with audiences here. We’re planning additional projects with Steve Harvey and his team for viewers here in Africa, so watch this space!”

Anahita Kheder, Fremantle’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution for Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe said, “We have a longstanding relationship with Steve Harvey and once we heard about his dream of taking our iconic format to Africa, we partnered to make it a reality. Rapid Blue has been our trusted producers across the region for many years, so it made sense to join them up with Steve Harvey Global to make the local African versions of Family Feud.”

Steve Harvey formed Steve Harvey Global (SHG) in 2017, to consolidate and expand his vast business and media interests. Steve Harvey Global is focused on creating and delivering entertaining, powerful and motivational content, products and experiences to inspire audiences around the world.

The Family Feud Africa business deal was negotiated and executed by Fremantle’s Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe, Anahita Kheder, and by Steve Harvey Global’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Brandon R. Williams.

Register interest for your family to be on Family Feud at www.enterfamilyfeud.co.za