Production company Harry King Television has announced it has attached two new hosts to its original TV format CURIOSITY. Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip and The Travelling Auctioneers’ Izzie Balmer and TV personality, Auctioneer and Art Valuer Bee Harford (BBC1’s The Travelling Auctioneers) join Raj Bisram and Henning Wehn as presenters.
Harry King Television also unveils their exclusive deal with international distribution and financing company Norse Key Studios, which has picked up global rights for Curiosity.
Two new hosts join Nicholas Sercombe’s latest comedy format
The indie unveiled today its two new presenters of CURIOSITY who will host the format alongside comedy legend Henning Wehn and TV presenter and antiques expert Raj Bisram. Jewellery expert and TV presenter Izzie Balmer known for Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Show and Flog It! brings her presenting charm and fanbase from multiple UK returning series and specialist expertise to the show. BBC1’s The Travelling Auctioneers Bee Harford, known as an expert Auctioneer and Art Valuer, also joins the lineup.
Producer, Nicholas Sercombe, says: “We are honoured to welcome Bee and Izzie to the show. They are sunbeams in the world of entertainment and experts on collectibles. They give us even greater insights into the curiosities that pass through the emporium.”
CURIOSITY is a new original unscripted format set in a shop that buys and sells wonderful and weird collectibles and curiosities. The concept was created by Raj Bisram and Mark Turner and developed into a format by Nicholas Sercombe and Ian Bailie for both digital and linear distribution. In each episode, celebrity guests visit the emporium to find antiques, ornaments and other period pieces from the Curiosity shop owners Raj Bisram and Henning Wehn to be feted and guided by and Izzie Balmer and Bee Harford.
CEO and founder of Harry King Television and creator of the format, Nicholas Sercombe is a leading television producer and writer in the UK and USA. Sercombe is known for creating iconic TV formats including Top Tips with Reeves and Mortimer, Two Old Farts in The Night with Barry Cryer and Willie Rushton, and Bob’s Fab Ads with Bob Monkhouse. Curiosity is his latest unscripted IP.
Norse Key Studios picks up global distribution rights
Norse Key Studios Ltd, founded by ex-YLE’s Maria Kivinen and launched earlier this summer, has picked up global distribution rights for CURIOSITY and will explore sales to streamers, channels and digital platforms around the world.
The TV and film distribution and international financing company specialises in sales of unscripted formats and documentaries, kids & youth programmes, scripted drama and comedy series, feature films, and music and performing arts IP.
The new distribution deal marks a shared commitment from both companies to delivering bold, talent-led content that appeals to the global market. Combining Harry King Television’s decades of expertise in format innovation and Norse Key Studios’ international sales expertise and financing strength, this deal aims to meet the growing demand for high-concept unscripted formats that work across digital and traditional platforms.
Nicholas Sercombe, CEO of Harry King Television, says “CURIOSITY is a format that will work with audiences all over the world. With Maria’s fresh approach and commercial specialism, we have a brilliant partner in Norse Key Studios to make that happen. Our two new, amazing hosts Izzie and Bee joining comedy legend Henning and TV favourite Raj create an ensemble of contributors to appeal to a very mixed audience.”
Maria Kivinen, found and CEO of Norse Key Studios, says: “It is a privilege to be collaborating with Harry King TV on taking CURIOSITY to the rest of the world. They have a great vision for the format, and I know it will go down a storm within the international market, particularly in time for the major events like MIPCOM and Content London this year.”
