'Family Feud' Heading to Florida

Debmar-Mercury's FremantleMedia-produced game show to shoot at Universal Studios in Orlando

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/10/2010 12:01:00 AM

Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud, produced by FremantleMedia North America, is moving to Orlando, Fla., where it will shoot at Universal Studios with new host Steve Harvey.

Orlando offers Feud several advantages that Los Angeles does not. First, Harvey tapes his daily radio show in Atlanta, and it's easier for him to commute to Florida than to California.

And in July, August and September, when Feud tapes, Universal Studios' theme parks attract 15,000 - 30,000 attendees per day. The show needs some 200 people to attend a taping, and it's easier to cull audiences from thousands strolling through the parks than to hire an audience company to troll the streets of Hollywood.

"Universal Studios Florida's guests are fun-loving families from all over the country, and we're looking forward to showing them a great time when they attend our live tapings at the park," says Executive Producer Gaby Johnson.

Universal Studios also plans to market the show within the park, in brochures and to season-ticket holders, says Pam Tuscany, vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Florida Production Group.

"We have a studio audience center, which makes it very convenient for guests to plan their day around what's taping in the studios," says Tuscany. "There's really easy access for anyone who wants to come by and see a live taping or even audition to be on the show."

The Florida legislature also is on the verge of passing a production tax-credit, says Tuscany, which would make it even less expensive for Fremantle to tape there. Such a credit would be a bonus, says Johnson, but isn't the reason Fremantle decided to move the show.

For its part, Universal Studios Florida will get a lot of free promotion via the show.

"There's a lot of great support and synergy at Universal Studios for Family Feud, and we're taking advantage of all of it," says Executive Producer Kevin Williams.