Deadline understands that Fremantle is developing a reboot of the classic beach drama series and has already held talks with a number of channels and streaming services.
The move would bring back one of the biggest series of the late 1980s and 1990s, as the trend to reboot classic titles continues. There are currently no creatives associated with the reboot.
Created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Gregory J. Bonann, the series followed a group of lifeguards patrolling LA County beaches. Originally produced by Gannett for NBC, the series was canceled after one season.
However, the Baywatch producers bought back the rights and produced a syndicated version with All American Television using funding from German distributor Beta Taurus, part of the Kirch group in Germany, and ITV.
The series then ran for another ten seasons, including a move to Hawaii for later seasons, becoming one of the most watched series in the world, especially internationally, before the launch of its spin-off Baywatch Nights. There was also Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding, a two-hour reunion movie that aired on Fox, and the 2017 Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron film.
Hasselhoff, Anderson, Carmen Electra, David Charvet, Yasmine Bleeth and Nicole Eggert played the leading roles in the series.
Given its history, Baywatch had a rather knotty rights situation. Fremantle held the rights to the show after All American Television was subsumed into Pearson, which became Fremantle, but Beta held the international distribution rights before Fremantle took over in 2018.
The current reboot is not the first time that the company, which produces series including Apple’s The Mosquito Coast, as well as a plethora of unscripted series such as American Idol, has considered a remake. Back in 2018, Fremantle International COO Bob McCourt told Deadline that a remake has “definitely been discussed” after remastering the old episodes into high definition to sell to global broadcasters.
“I think we thought the film might have given us reason to reboot the TV series, but given the mixed reviews that didn’t happen straight away. I think if this remastered version is sold extensively and a new audience comes to Baywatch, then it will give us a real indication as to whether a new series could be successful. We would definitely think seriously about making a new series and maybe we’ll get approached by some broadcasters about making one,” he said.
Below is a trailer of the original Baywatch.
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