"Millionaire" heads to Afghanistan

By Mimi Turner

LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - It may still be an active military theater, but Afghanistan is about to get an injection of Western entertainment with the launch of an Afghan version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

2waytraffic International, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, has licensed the "Millionaire" format rights to local producer Shams Prods., which is in final discussions with an undisclosed broadcaster.

The deal, announced Friday, marks the first time a light entertainment format has been officially licensed into the territory.

Contestants will have their eye on the main prize, 1 million Afghanis, equivalent to $21,000, a "life-changing" amount of money in Afghanistan, 2waytraffic International managing director Ed Louwerse said.

Shams Prods. will begin production on 52 60-minute episodes of the show in late November in Kabul.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter