Exclusive: Paramount’s Channel 5 is headed to South Africa in search of hippos and crocodiles.
The UK terrestrial network has ordered a pair of series from Sky Studios-owned factual specialist True to Nature presented by British naturalist Steve Backshall. Croc Watch and Hippo Watch will both run to two hour-long episodes, and Fremantle has picked up international sales rights.
This marks one of the most ambitious natural history bets for Channel 5. Across the two series, the programs will journey into the heart of South Africa to access the lives of crocodiles and hippos, revealing remarkable secrets and showcasing the beauty of their natural habitats.
Backshall, whose True to Nature-produced series Whale with Steve Backshall premiered on Sky Nature in the UK earlier this month, will reveal the mysteries of their survival by exploring their daily habits, hunting techniques and parenting instincts, and the intricate dynamics of the wild that enable them to thrive.
The UK terrestrial network has ordered a pair of series from Sky Studios-owned factual specialist True to Nature presented by British naturalist Steve Backshall. Croc Watch and Hippo Watch will both run to two hour-long episodes, and Fremantle has picked up international sales rights.
This marks one of the most ambitious natural history bets for Channel 5. Across the two series, the programs will journey into the heart of South Africa to access the lives of crocodiles and hippos, revealing remarkable secrets and showcasing the beauty of their natural habitats.
Backshall, whose True to Nature-produced series Whale with Steve Backshall premiered on Sky Nature in the UK earlier this month, will reveal the mysteries of their survival by exploring their daily habits, hunting techniques and parenting instincts, and the intricate dynamics of the wild that enable them to thrive.
- 12/10/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Big Brother exec Katy Manley has said it is “derogatory and disingenuous” for people to dismiss reality TV shows as “guilty pleasures.”
Speaking during an Edinburgh TV Festival debate titled TV’s Snobbery Problem, Initial bosss Manley, who is helming the ITV Big Brother reboot with Natalka Znak, blasted those who don’t respect shows in which “people say their opinions in their own words.”
“Maybe that is not as palatable for [the detractors],” she added. “Maybe it’s because they’re not watching polished TV professionals but I think it’s derogatory and disingenuous to say these shows are guilty pleasures. There are hundreds of people working on them.”
Part of “the snobbery” is a “British sensibility to dismiss people who don’t have a traditional talent like singing or writing a book,” added Manley. Big Brother will return to ITV – its third UK network – later this year, five years after...
Speaking during an Edinburgh TV Festival debate titled TV’s Snobbery Problem, Initial bosss Manley, who is helming the ITV Big Brother reboot with Natalka Znak, blasted those who don’t respect shows in which “people say their opinions in their own words.”
“Maybe that is not as palatable for [the detractors],” she added. “Maybe it’s because they’re not watching polished TV professionals but I think it’s derogatory and disingenuous to say these shows are guilty pleasures. There are hundreds of people working on them.”
Part of “the snobbery” is a “British sensibility to dismiss people who don’t have a traditional talent like singing or writing a book,” added Manley. Big Brother will return to ITV – its third UK network – later this year, five years after...
- 8/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Plus has revealed a further slate of scripted and unscripted U.K. original series ahead of the launch of the streaming service in the U.K. this summer.
Scripted original series commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer, U.K., Paramount, as part of the streamer’s plans to greenlight 50 new international scripted originals in 2022, include “The Ex-Wife” (4×60″), based on Jess Ryder’s the hit psychological thriller novel, where a woman’s world of a perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl is turned upside down when her husband’s ex-wife won’t leave them alone.
Céline Buckens (“Showtrial”) plays the lead role in the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard Studios, BlackBox Multimedia and Night Train Media, with Night Train Media financing and controlling worldwide distribution rights.
“The Ex-Wife” is written by Catherine Steadman who will also serve as executive producer on the series alongside Mike Benson for Clapperboard,...
Scripted original series commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer, U.K., Paramount, as part of the streamer’s plans to greenlight 50 new international scripted originals in 2022, include “The Ex-Wife” (4×60″), based on Jess Ryder’s the hit psychological thriller novel, where a woman’s world of a perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl is turned upside down when her husband’s ex-wife won’t leave them alone.
Céline Buckens (“Showtrial”) plays the lead role in the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard Studios, BlackBox Multimedia and Night Train Media, with Night Train Media financing and controlling worldwide distribution rights.
“The Ex-Wife” is written by Catherine Steadman who will also serve as executive producer on the series alongside Mike Benson for Clapperboard,...
- 4/4/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of its summer launch in the U.K., streamer Paramount Plus has unveiled a raft of U.K. original unscripted commissions.
“Haunted” details the most terrifying paranormal cases in Britain and America, combining personal testimony with archive and dramatic reconstruction. It is produced by Story Films in association with All3Media International. Executive producers for Story Films are Peter Beard and Adam Hopkins, and the series producer is Laura Matthews.
“Rise of the Tech Titans” will chart the events that led to a group of founders being able to take their vision to stratospheric levels and reveal how their decisions would go onto shape how we live. It is produced by 72 Films, in association with All3Media International and Night Train Media. Executive producers for 72 Films are Mark Raphael, John Douglas and Annabel Hobley. Katie Hindley and Gagan Rehill are series producers, and will also direct. The series was also ordered by Pearl,...
“Haunted” details the most terrifying paranormal cases in Britain and America, combining personal testimony with archive and dramatic reconstruction. It is produced by Story Films in association with All3Media International. Executive producers for Story Films are Peter Beard and Adam Hopkins, and the series producer is Laura Matthews.
“Rise of the Tech Titans” will chart the events that led to a group of founders being able to take their vision to stratospheric levels and reveal how their decisions would go onto shape how we live. It is produced by 72 Films, in association with All3Media International and Night Train Media. Executive producers for 72 Films are Mark Raphael, John Douglas and Annabel Hobley. Katie Hindley and Gagan Rehill are series producers, and will also direct. The series was also ordered by Pearl,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The International Icon Interview with Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner Whoopi Goldberg will be one of the highlights of the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival.
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. and U.S. production group Argonon has launched factual indie outfit Studio Leo, led by former Hat Trick executive Claire Collinson-Jones.
Studio Leo launches with “101 Years of Tesco,” an all-access three-part series for U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 5, which traces the British retail company’s rise, from a post-wwi market stall to the supermarket giant of today. The series is executive produced by Collinson-Jones and commissioned by Channel 5 commissioning editor Denise Seneviratne.
“This series marks 101 years of Tesco and the supermarket’s ability to adapt fast in the face of adversity,” said Seneviratne. “Through sheer determination, Claire Collinson-Jones at Studio Leo secured the access in the middle of a pandemic. I am confident that the Channel 5 audience will find the story both revealing and captivating.”
Collinson-Jones’ previous executive producer credits include hit formats for U.K. broadcasters, including “Rich House, Poor House” (Channel 5), “Dinner Date” (ITV...
Studio Leo launches with “101 Years of Tesco,” an all-access three-part series for U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 5, which traces the British retail company’s rise, from a post-wwi market stall to the supermarket giant of today. The series is executive produced by Collinson-Jones and commissioned by Channel 5 commissioning editor Denise Seneviratne.
“This series marks 101 years of Tesco and the supermarket’s ability to adapt fast in the face of adversity,” said Seneviratne. “Through sheer determination, Claire Collinson-Jones at Studio Leo secured the access in the middle of a pandemic. I am confident that the Channel 5 audience will find the story both revealing and captivating.”
Collinson-Jones’ previous executive producer credits include hit formats for U.K. broadcasters, including “Rich House, Poor House” (Channel 5), “Dinner Date” (ITV...
- 2/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom’s Channel 5 is turning to a former Vice exec as it searches for programming to attract young audiences. The UK broadcaster has hired Dan Louw as Commissioning Editor.
Louw comes from Vice Studios, the UK production arm of Shane Smith’s media empire, where he was Head of Development and Executive Producer. During this role, he worked with C5 on a number of docs including Cocaine and Dirty Tricks as well as The Satanic Verses: 30 Years On for BBC2 and Beat the Internet for Dave.
Prior to that role, he was VP Development for Vice’s UK network Viceland where he was responsible for developing more than 40 hours of original programming including Hate Thy Neighbour and Needles and Pins, and has worked at the BBC as well as Twenty Twenty TV, Dragonfly TV and North One.
He will report to Ben Frow, Director of Programmes, Channel 5.
Separately, Kate Morey...
Louw comes from Vice Studios, the UK production arm of Shane Smith’s media empire, where he was Head of Development and Executive Producer. During this role, he worked with C5 on a number of docs including Cocaine and Dirty Tricks as well as The Satanic Verses: 30 Years On for BBC2 and Beat the Internet for Dave.
Prior to that role, he was VP Development for Vice’s UK network Viceland where he was responsible for developing more than 40 hours of original programming including Hate Thy Neighbour and Needles and Pins, and has worked at the BBC as well as Twenty Twenty TV, Dragonfly TV and North One.
He will report to Ben Frow, Director of Programmes, Channel 5.
Separately, Kate Morey...
- 1/17/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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