‘Baywatch’ Reboot Makes a Splash at MIPCOM With a Big New Deal in Italy

Few TV brands are as instantly recognizable as ‘Baywatch’. Now, the beloved lifeguard drama is getting a modern makeover at Fox, with Stephen Amell leading a 12-episode reboot set to premiere in the U.S. in January 2027.

Amell plays Hobie Buchannon, the son of David Hasselhoff’s iconic Mitch Buchannon, who is now serving as a Baywatch captain himself. His world is turned upside down when Charlie Vale, a daughter he never knew existed, played by Jessica Belkin, shows up eager to carry on the family legacy.

Now, the reboot is making waves internationally. Italy’s public broadcaster Rai has acquired the series for Rai 2, Deadline first reported, marking a major sale on the opening day of MIPCOM in Cannes.

The deal covers the show’s second window in Italy, meaning the series will air on Rai 2 after its initial exclusive run on Prime Video. Distributor Fremantle announced the agreement ahead of a glamorous premiere event at the market.

Fremantle’s Al De Azpiazu said that landing a major second-window deal before the show even launches highlights the strength of the brand. He added that there is a huge appetite for ‘Baywatch’ around the world, calling it a true MIPCOM showstopper.

See Shay Mitchell and Brooks Nader in a new ‘Baywatch’ teaser promo More details on the series premiering on Fox this January here: https://t.co/okkv1Z5C0w https://t.co/0Filh3iH0s

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 2, 2026

The Rai deal adds to an already impressive list of international partners. Prime Video holds first-window rights across Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Canada, Latin America and India.

Sky has acquired the series for the UK and Ireland, while Stan will carry it in Australia. Fox Entertainment Global holds domestic distribution rights, and Fremantle is handling all international sales.

Amell and cast member Brooks Nader were expected to attend events at MIPCOM to celebrate the show. Their appearance underscores how heavily the series is being promoted as it heads toward launch.

Alongside Amell and Belkin, the reboot features a fresh ensemble. Hassie Harrison plays Nat, Shay Mitchell plays Trina, Thaddeus LaGrone plays Brad, Noah Beck plays Luke and Brooks Nader plays Selene.

See Livvy Dunne and Thaddeus LaGrone in a new ‘Baywatch’ teaser promo More details on the series premiering on Fox this January here: https://t.co/okkv1Z5C0w https://t.co/DPCqLXtWLf

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 2, 2026

The series also brings back some familiar faces. Original stars David Chokachi and Erika Eleniak are returning, giving longtime fans a direct link to the classic show. The series is co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, with Matt Nix of ‘Burn Notice’ and ‘The Gifted’ serving as showrunner and executive producer.

McG, who directed the premiere episode, also executive produces alongside Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz. Fox has promised the show will deliver the adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships and beachside heroics that defined the original.

This time, it comes with contemporary challenges and a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s coastline. In a teaser released earlier this year, Amell’s Hobie calls being a Baywatch captain the best job in the world. The preview offered fans an early glimpse at the show’s sun-soaked action.

For Italian audiences, the reboot is likely to tap into a strong sense of nostalgia. Combining that with a cast full of social media personalities could help the show reach both longtime fans and younger viewers. Rai has not yet announced when the series will air on Rai 2. For now, Prime Video has confirmed only that it will debut sometime in 2027.

With deals stacking up across the globe, ‘Baywatch’ is shaping up to be one of the biggest international TV launches of the coming year. The reboot will officially kick off on Fox in January 2027. For a franchise built on sun, surf, and heroics, the early buzz suggests the new lifeguards may soon be just as famous as the originals.

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