British game show Pointless set to replace Family Feud

Grieving Family Feud fans have something to look forward to.

Australia will soon get a new quiz show straight from the shores of the United Kingdom. That is, if the producers at EndemolShine get their way.

The production company behind some of Network Ten's biggest reality TV shows – including MasterChef and The Bachelor – is on the hunt for people based in New South Wales for a local version of British game show Pointless.

Over the years, similar formats have been developed in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. In Australia, the ABC currently airs the British format.

On Tuesday, Network Ten revealed it was putting Grant Denyer's Family Feud on ice after 1200 episodes. A spokesman said it would be announcing "an exciting new game show" taken from a successful overseas format shortly.

Fairfax Media understands that no other network is in the market for an Australian version of Pointless, with sources at Seven, Nine, the ABC, SBS and Foxtel confirming they have not purchased the rights.

The casting call comes after Network Ten announced it was wrapping up Grant Denyer\'s Family Feud.
Photo: Network Ten

The program, which airs on the BBC, features two teams competing for a cash prize. The objective is to give answers to general knowledge questions that are not only correct, but as obscure as possible.

To determine what is and isn't a common answer, all of the show's questions are first tested via a survey involving 100 people. If the team gives an answer that is correct, they win points equal to the number of people who gave the same response.

Incorrect answers incur the maximum 100 points. An answer that is correct but which no one in the pre-game survey put forward receives zero points. This is because the aim of the game is to receive as little points as possible.

The quiz show was originally developed for BBC Two in 2009, but after just three seasons it was bumped up to the public broadcaster's main channel because it was such a ratings success. An average episode pulls in millions of viewers.

Ten has been contacted for comment.