Following its recent announcement regarding a new slate of formats for MIPCOM, Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) is now pleased to reveal a new slate of finished programming, set to launch to buyers next week in Cannes.
The slate features a varied selection of new documentaries, factual entertainment, entertainment and reality titles.
Documentaries
Suranne Jones: Witches (2×60’, Ricochet in co-production with TeamAkers Productions for Channel 4) follows BAFTA-winning actor Suranne Jones (Vigil, Doctor Foster) as she embarks on an epic international journey to investigate the most infamous witch trials in history. Paranormal II: The Village that Saw Aliens (4×30’, Twenty Twenty for BBC Three) sees Sian Eleri return to the spooky strand, this time investigating a UFO sighting by 14 schoolboys in west Wales in 1977 that led to a wave of reports of close encounters and claims of Britain’s biggest mass sighting. In her search for answers, she raises unsettling questions about secret military testing, conspiracy theories and evidence of a craft that defies human capabilities. Fatal Flight: Shoreham (1×60’, Ricochet for Discovery+) investigates the disaster caused by a fighter jet crashing into a busy main road during an air show, killing 11 people and injuring many more. Using shocking footage captured by spectators from the crash scene, this is the definitive story of the disaster, its aftermath and the victims’ families’ fight for justice and truth.
Factual Entertainment
What’s the Big Deal (4×60’, Ricochet for Channel 4) is a new consumer affairs series hosted by actress and podcaster Natalie Cassidy. In each episode, she investigates four talked-about products – such as robot hoovers or weighted blankets – to determine how they work and which are worth the hype. The Repair Shop: On the Road (15×60’, Ricochet for BBC One) follows some of The Repair Shop’s best-loved experts as they head for Scotland, travelling across the beautiful highlands and islands, looking to make new friends, learn new skills and fix a range of fascinating objects. Steeped in traditional crafts and history, it’s a gorgeous and warm-hearted celebration of British craftsmanship, all set against the stunning Scottish landscape.
Nadiya’s Cook Once, Eat Twice (6×30’, Wall to Wall for BBC Two) sees the return of popular chef Nadiya Hussain in a playful and inventive series packed with delicious recipes and tips that help make ingredients go further and utilise leftovers. My Dream Green Home (8×45’, WBITVP New Zealand for TVNZ) is an inspirational and contemporary home makeover format that provides stylish yet affordable solutions for people looking to lead better, greener lives.
Entertainment
There are six new entertainment titles launching for MIPCOM. The List (6×60’, WBITVP Australia for Channel 10/Paramount+) sees Jack and Falcon, aka The Inspired Unemployed from the hit series The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers head overseas and out of their comfort zones to take on high-octane and unusual challenges in different locations around the world. They travel to a surprise new country in each episode and get given a nightmare list of things they have to do, eg train with mountain monks in Japan or stalk (or be stalked by) bears in Finland. Some are physically demanding, some are emotionally draining, and others are just plain awkward. But all are hilarious!
Fast Friends (4×60’, Warner Horizon for Max) celebrates the 30th anniversary of the iconic sitcom Friends with a brilliant entertainment show for fans, set in The Friends Experience: The One in New York attraction. Part game show and part escape room against the clock, it sees three teams of two demonstrate their Friends’ knowledge while running the gauntlet through a range of familiar sets for a final showdown on the Central Perk sofa to see who will be crowned the Ultimate Friends Fans. Combining culinary creativity with movie magic, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking (1×90’ + 5×60’, Warner Horizon for Food Network & Max) is an incredible – and edible – celebration of the magical world of Harry Potter. Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter movies), pairs of talented pastry chefs and cake artists come together on the incredible sets of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and are tasked with producing spellbinding sweet creations for judging by a panel of professionals and other alumni from the Harry Potter films.
Human vs Hamster (8×60’, A. Smith and Co. for Magnolia Network & Max) is a highly entertaining, never-before-seen physical gameshow that sees extraordinary hamsters take on exceptional humans in an epic battle to determine which species reigns supreme. Hosted by broadcaster and best-selling author Emmanuel Acho, Second Chance Stage (8×60’, The Intellectual Property Corporation for Magnolia Network & Max) is a talent show giving performers who had to give up on their dreams a second chance to make it big. There’s a mega cash prize up for grabs and an audience of talent scouts, agents and producers all looking for the next big star. Meanwhile, Roller Jam (6×60’, Nikki Boella & Brian Lando for Magnolia Network & Max), a nostalgic competition show hosted by Jordin Sparks, sees roller-dancing crews from across America lace up their skates and perform incredible live routines in front of an expert panel and celebrity guest judges – including singers Debbie Gibson, Pepa and Michelle Williams.
Reality
Finally, Jungle Dads (6×60’, Twenty Twenty for Channel 4) is a new reality series hosted by international explorer and former soldier Ed Stafford. He’s a firm believer that leaving the 21st century behind and living in a challenging wilderness environment can help build strong relationships and make soft, risk-averse modern dads into better, more adventurous role models. In the series, he puts this theory to the test by taking six ordinary dads and their kids to the jungle in Belize, setting them dramatic daily challenges.
Andrew Zein, WBITVP’s EVP creative, format development and sales, comments: “We are excited to debut our new finished content in Cannes, produced by talented teams across the global network of Warner Bros. production companies, as well as from leading third-party producers. From magical bakes, heroic hamsters and crazy travel challenges to green renovations, witches and UFO sightings, this slate delivers not only some truly standout primetime programming but also plenty of brilliant TV to talk about.”
