ITV Productions to push shows in US

ITV Productions is to step up efforts to sell its shows to US networks with regular executive trips to Los Angeles.

The initiative, organised by Granada America, could also see I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! return to North American screens.

Granada America president and chief executive Paul Buccieri is planning a first trip for bosses of the production company to Los Angeles in March.

"We're going to be bringing over ITV Productions to the US a few times a year and set up sessions with buyers and networks," he said.

"I want to bring the excitement in the UK to the US. We're going with all our shows and hopefully we'll get some sales out of it."

Buccieri added he thought I'm a Celebrity, which attracted poor audiences on ABC in 2003, still had potential: "I have so much faith in that show. I just think it needs to be produced slightly differently for the American audience."