Around the world, local versions of the TBS sports entertainment program “SASUKE” continue to grow in number. Following upon the success of local Sweden version “Ninja Warrior Sverige” (NWS), “Ninja Warrior Turkiye (Turkey)” (NWT) has become the latest addition to this action-packed family of programs.

Shooting for NWT began on September 11 in an Istanbul suburb. Three partners have joined forces to produce NWT: rapidly growing Turkish media company Acun Medya; international line production company Eccholine, which has participated in the production of NWS; and US production company ATS Filmworks, which has participated in the production of “American Ninja Warrior” since Season 4. After the completion of NWS production in mid-August, the entire NWS set was dismantled and loaded on trucks. Then, upon arrival in Turkey, the set was painstakingly reassembled. From start to finish, the process took 3 weeks. With its home base now ready for action, NWT began implementing regional qualifying rounds.

Boasting an extremely short post-production period, NWT began airing on TV8 in Turkey on September 17—just six days after shooting began on September 11. Despite being shot afterward, NWT will actually air ahead of NWS, which will reach the Swedish airwaves in January 2015.

“SASUKE” content has been sold in 157 countries and territories. Sales extend through Asia, Europe, and North America, as well as the Middle East and Latin America. Local versions of the program have been produced in the US, Malaysia, and Singapore, and a local Vietnamese version is currently in the works. With the addition of Sweden and Turkey, Europe joins Asia and North America in the list of continents that have hosted local “SASUKE” versions. Plans are now being considered to leverage the relatively compact geography of Europe by moving the NWS/NWT set to other European countries to thrill fans with new local versions.

In the US, “American Ninja Warrior” Season 6 has just ended a huge summer hit, surpassing all previous seasons in terms of ratings. Based on this success, the program’s renewal for a seventh season has already been announced. On Facebook, the “Ninja Warrior” page currently has over 1 million “Likes.” Originating in Japan and gaining new fans and expanding its global presence by the day, the “SASUKE” family of programs has yet to reach its peak of popularity!

【About Acun Medya】

Acun Medya is an independent production company established by renowned television host and producer Acun Ilıcalı in 2004. Acun Medya’s vision to deliver inspiring and motivating entertainment has resulted in Turkish versions of worldwide formats including Fear Factor, Extreme Make Over: Home Edition, Survivor, Deal or No Deal, Got Talent Turkey, Dancing With The Stars and The Voice. In 2014 Acun Medya enhanced it’s partnership in which Acun Ilıcalı took over the ownership of TV8. With the launch of the channel on September 2014 all Acun Medya productions are going to be on air at TV8. Having reached 10 million viewers for each programs episode, Acun Medya embraces all age segments. Hence the programmes produced are not just widely viewed, but also are influencing a great part of the television audience in Turkey.