BBC opts for US hits

BBC Two and BBC Three are looking to US hit shows to boost their schedules.

BBC Two has bought Identity, a NBC gameshow format which will be presented by Donny Osmond. The show sees contestants trying to match 12 complete strangers with their secret identities to win cash.

Currently in pre-production in Manchester, 30 episodes of the show are due to air later this year.

Another US hit, BBC Worldwide's Dancing With The Stars, which airs on ABC in the States, may end up on BBC Three.

Worldwide is hoping the digital channel will sign up for the show, following the success of American Idol on ITV2. The company's director of content and production, Wayne Garvie, told Broadcast that the deal would need to be "cost effective," with the additional cost issue of getting clearance for the rights to the show's music in the UK.