TORONTO – Bell Media’s CTV announced today it has greenlit a new English-language, unscripted, original dating series, Farming for Love, which has been adapted from the international format, The Farmer Wants a Wife.
“The hit format is based on an original concept from British magazine Country Living licensed by Fremantle,” a press release says.
Farming for Love will feature 10, one-hour episodes that follow five single rural Canadians who are looking for romance. During the series, the five rural Canadians “open up their farms – and their hearts – to a select group of urban singles,” the release explains.
“As they live and work together, the daters must adjust to a new lifestyle, and immerse themselves in a series of challenges, group activities, and intimate one-on-one dates with the goal of finding their one true love.”
Farming for Love is produced by Lark Productions in collaboration with Fremantle and in association with CTV.
Casting for the series “is currently underway for single, BC-based farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, or vintners from all backgrounds who are hoping to find their life partner,” the press release says. The series’ host and casting details for urban singles wanting to participate will be announced in the coming months.
There is already a Canadian French-language version of the show, L’amour est dans le pré, which is in its 10th season on Noovo and “has led to more than 15 couples and 27 children,” since 2013, the press release says.
“This format has built longstanding mass appeal both internationally and in Canada with Bell Media’s French-language adaptation, and we can’t wait to introduce this series, and the crop of singles hoping to find love, to CTV viewers,” said Justin Stockman, vice-president, content development and programming at Bell Media, in the release.
“As this show has demonstrated, country and city can combine for lasting relationships, and together with our partners at Lark Productions and Fremantle we look forward to following the romantic journeys.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Bell Media and Fremantle on such an established and heartwarming format,” said Erin Haskett, president of Lark Productions. “Farming for Love promises to celebrate the diverse and wonderful world of Canadian farmers, and we look forward to bringing authentic connections into their lives through this exciting new series.”
“Authentic and heart-warming; we have seen the continuous success of this format across the globe, coming out on top as the #1 entertainment show in several territories as well as creating a record number of lasting love connections,” said Fremantle’s Michela Di Mondo, executive vice-president, distribution and sales, Canada.
“Wonderfully showcasing the many unique communities across the country, we are so pleased to be working with Bell Media and Lark to bring this one-of-a-kind series to CTV audiences.”
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Image provided by Bell Media.
