• Variety, Friday, February 15, 2008 11 AM

Mark Burnett, he of "Survivor" fame, has cut a deal with Sony Pictures Television to help produce a U.S. version of "Dragons' Den," the Japanese reality show in which aspiring entrepreneurs try to sell already-successful moguls on their ideas. The project is something of a departure for Burnett in that he has generally produced shows on his own.

It could also signal that Sony intends to step-up production of prime-time reality fare. The deal stems from Burnett's relationship with Sony chief Howard Stringer and president Steve Mosko. "We've been trying to find a way to collaborate, and we promised ourselves 2008 would be the year," says Burnett.

Mosko adds he hopes the deal is merely the start of a longer-term relationship with the producer: "We are really going to move to ramp up our reality and light-entertainment business for networks and syndication," he says. "It's a huge priority for us."

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