In the spotlight: Ash Atalla
Ash Atalla has shows lined up for Sky, the BBC, Channel 4 and is looking at US remakes of Roughcut Television's series. Having redefined comedy by co-creating The Office, Atalla tells TBI about the business, his career and plans TBI: Which executive helped shape your career? AA: One is Clare Pizey, a BBC exec (eds […]
Discovery orders Celebrity Fat Fighters
TLC has greenlit a new reality series in following celebrities in an extreme weight-loss boot camp. Celebrity Fat Fighters will run to three parts on the Discovery net, with UK indie Chalkboard TV making the show. The format sees a roster of celebs enter the boot camp and then undergo a strict training regime while […]
MTV brings grandparents to Spring Break
MTV has commissioned an eight-part reality series for its international channels in which twenty-somethings hit the beach with their favourite grandparent. Spring Break with Grandad comes from UK-based indie Handsome Productions and will run across the Viacom-owned network's international channels from June. Billed as "crazy, cute and definitely cringe-worthy", the show will see attractive young […]
Ex-BBCWW, All3 execs create indie
Former BBC Worldwide and All3Media executives have formed an independent production firm, Raconteur Associates. William Miller, former global head of talent at the BBC's commercial arm, and All3's ex-group head of entertainment and formats, Ruth Wrigley (pictured), are behind the venture, which will focus on developing and producing high-end unscripted programming and formats for UK […]
TOWIE makes it in China
All3Media has shopped scripted reality series The Only Way is Essex to China, with a local version now on Hunan TV. The 18x45mins Chinese version of the show is being produced by Hunan and its Mango TV division alongside local indie prodco Zhang Hong. The deal comes as All3Media preps a new Asian sales base […]
Reality star becomes Dengineer for CBBC
UK kids channel CBBC has commissioned The Dengineers, a new live-action makeover show in which kids get their dream dens made for them Mark Wright, who came to prominence in the UK as one of the stars of scripted reality series The Only Way is Essex, will present the show, which CBBC will produce in-house. […]
ITV lines up summer launch for Encore
UK broadcaster ITV is set to launch its new pay channel, ITV Encore, on June 9. The network will launch on Sky Channel 123 and will be home to "the best of contemporary British ITV drama". ITV Encore's branding has been produced in-house, while details of its schedule and broadcast hours will be confirmed closer […]
Hulu unveils 2014 originals, acquisitions
US streaming site Hulu has unveiled a deep slate of original programmes and new acquisitions for 2014 that includes a raft of content from international partners. NBCU, Fox and Disney-owned Hulu announced seventeen new or returning series yesterday including Deadbeat, its first copro with Lionsgate. The 10x30mins supernatural comedy will debut in April, be exec […]
Comment: How social media is influencing reality development
Love it or hate it, reality TV has firmly cemented its place within pop culture, becoming a firm favourite with audiences and content creators around the world – spanning all ages and demographics. In the UK, whether it's Geordie Shore, Big Brother or Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, reality has proved to be one of the […]
Easel TV VOD service in the picture for All3Media
All3Media is set to get its own version of multi-screen software specialist Easel TV's over-the-top video service. All3Media shows available include Skins, Shameless, The Only Way is Essex (pictured), Midsomer Murders and Peep Show, with further series to be added over time. The move represents the latest example of producers going direct to consumers with […]