MTV “bugs out” with int’l prank format

Viacom-owned cable network MTV has greenlit the international prank format MTV’s Bugging Out from New York-headquartered prodco DiGa.

Hosted by YouTube personality and illusionist Rob Anderson (pictured, left) and presenter and comedian Traci Stumpf (right), the 22-episode series will capture a variety of technologies – from smart phones and GPS devices to ATMs and home security systems – turning on unsuspecting individuals.

The series, which was developed in partnership with DiGa’s Tony DiSanto, will air across MTV’s international channels this spring.

DiGa’s DiSanto, Rob Anderson and Tommy Coriale serve as executive producers, alongside MTV International’s Bruce Gillmer and Jennifer Demme Harris. The concept for the format was developed by DiGa’s Michael Maniaci.

“Bugging Out is based on a simple premise: what would happen if the technology we depend on in our everyday lives suddenly became a lot less reliable? That opened the door for a whole new kind of prank comedy series that hits right at the heart of the youth audience, a generation that never knew a world without all of this exciting tech at our fingertips,” said DiGa CEO DiSanto in a statement.

Source: REELSCREEN