A New Zealand comedy travel series featuring David Hasselhoff will air after the original production company collapsed with millions of dollars in debt. Warner Bros Discovery, which owns the Three network, announced it has secured the rights and will broadcast the program later this year.
The series, originally titled Hoff the Beaten Track, filmed in New Zealand in 2023 with David Hasselhoff starring alongside comedian Rhys Darby. Production halted in post-production following the financial failure of Stripe Studios, also known as Stripe Media, and associated entities. Creditors were owed more than $20 million across various projects, and David Hasselhoff was among those seeking payment for work performed.
The rescued series has been renamed Hoff Roading. Perpetual Entertainment's New Zealand team is overseeing the completion of post-production work. Warner Bros Discovery stated the program is scheduled to air on Three and ThreeNow in the second half of 2025, making the content available to audiences in New Zealand and internationally.
Perpetual Entertainment New Zealand Managing Director and Executive Producer Vicki Keogh commented on the effort to revive the production. She stated that ensuring the work of the cast and crew is seen was important, as was repairing relationships with international talent.
David Hasselhoff expressed his pleasure at the series being back on track. "Taking a road trip through New Zealand with Rhys Darby turned out to be one of the best adventures I’ve had,” Hasselhoff said. “We came together for a show, but I left with a real friendship and a deep love for New Zealand."
Rhys Darby also spoke about the experience. He called it a pleasure to show a Hollywood figure the features of Aotearoa.
Investigations into Stripe Studios and its related companies continue. BDO, the receiver appointed to Stripe Studios, and the Official Assignee, acting as liquidator for Stripe Media Ltd, have reported difficulty in recovering assets. The liquidator noted that the director, Alex Breingan, has not been located by that office. Authorities, including the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), have also been involved, with the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) having previously referred concerns about Stripe to the SFO (Serious Fraud Office).
Beyond David Hasselhoff, other creditors seeking funds from the collapse include Kiwibank, Fulcrum Media Finance, and US comedian Iliza Shlesinger, who also filmed a travel series with Stripe in 2023. The status of the series starring Iliza Shlesinger remains unclear. Receivers have indicated their investigations have uncovered “irregularities” in company finances, which have been referred to relevant authorities, according to a report detailing the Stripe Studios receivership and creditors.
"The country is breathtaking, every turn felt like a movie set and Rhys kept me laughing the whole way,” Hasselhoff said. “I’ll be back, no question."
