'Next Top Model' Goes to Africa

Supermodel Oluchi Orlandi will host a pan-regional version, 'Africa's Next Top Model'

By George Winslow -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/26/2013 3:08:42 PM

CBS Studios International has sold the African format rights for America's Next Top Model to New York-based LuLu Productions, which will work with Never Machine Productions to produce Africa's Next Top Model.

The reality competition series will be shot primarily on location in South Africa and is slated to air pan-regionally in Africa on the MNET Africa Magic channels in 2013.

Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Orlandi will serve as host and executive producer, and South African Tourism is sponsoring the show, which will begin production in August in Cape Town in English.

Models will be selected from eight countries throughout Africa.

In a statement, Roxanne Pompa, VP of international formats sales and production at CBS Studios International, called the format sale "a testament to the universal popularity of the ever-growing America's Next Top Model franchise."

"My company, LuLu Productions, will be partnering with Never Machine productions with Gavin Wratten as co-executive producer and also one of the giant media houses to help make this show a big success," added Oluchi in a statement.