Antiques dealers to compete on PBS reality show

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - PBS is giving the genteel "Antiques Roadshow" a fierce partner with "Market Wars," an antiques-hunt reality competition show.

PBS announced Wednesday that the 20-episode series from the producers of "Antiques Roadshow" will send professional antiques dealers in a nationwide hunt for the best vintage bargain. The dealer whose item snares the biggest profit at auction wins.

The producers of "Market Wars" promise the show will expose the "real, rough and tumble competition" in the antiques marketplace. The series will begin next summer, teaming on Monday nights with "Antiques Roadshow." The debut date was not announced for "Market Wars," produced by public TV station WGBH Boston.

The two series make a good match but viewers need not worry that PBS will be overtaken by reality shows, PBS chief Paula Kerger told the Television Critics Association.

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