Tag Archive: Gerard Costello

  1. Susan Calman to Uncover More of Scotland’s Secrets with IWC and Motion Content Group for Channel 5

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    IWC, a Banijay company, and Motion Content Group, today announce Channel 5 has commissioned a third, extended 10×60’ seriesoffactual entertainment show, Secret Scotland.

     

    Susan Calman is back for another awe-inspiring journey around her native Scotland, getting private tours of iconic Scottish spots, uncovering hidden secrets of the past and present, and gaining special access to magnificent castles.

     

    In this third series, Susan will be visiting ten more stunning locations, from quiet countryside to brooding coastline, and from the East Neuk of Fife to the Western Isles. Along the way, she will take an in-depth look at the history, people and traditions of the area, and try her hand at learning some ancient skills.

     

    This longer series is building on the ratings success of Secret Scotland season two, which peaked at an audience of 1.6 million.

     

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer at IWC said: “Scotland is home to some of Britain’s most beautiful locations, and having our series extended to ten episodes means that we can explore even more of what it has to offer, with Susan’s warmth and humour making her the perfect guide.”

     

    Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 said: “It’s great to see Susan back on Channel 5 with even more secrets and hidden gems from her latest journey around Scotland. It’s business as usual with lots of laughs and fascinating people to liven up our lives in this unusual year, as the nights draw in.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC and Melanie Darlaston for Motion Content Group. Secret Scotland will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  2. IWC to make Holiday Hire Makeover Format for Channel 4

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    IWC, a Banijay company, today announces it has been commissioned to make TX pilot, Hire My Home, afactual entertainment format for Channel 4.

     

    Featuring two skilled interior designers, Anna Campbell-Jones (Scotland’s Home of the Year) and Zeena Shah, this show takes bland rentals and turns them into unique holiday lets. The designers are each assigned a property in the same area of the UK and given a budget by the owner to transform it. It will be their job to give each property a stunning makeover, drawing inspiration from the character and culture of the surrounding area, and creating a stand-out style would-be holidaymakers can’t ignore. The rejuvenated rentals will then be judged by 100 Brits via a Hire My Home app, with photographs and price point uploaded. Swiping through the pictures, each of them will decide if they would book it or not, just as people do in the real world. But which designer will come out on top?

     

    The show is commissioned in a summer where many are opting out of foreign travel and holiday rentals in the UK can expect a boom in popularity. For the thousands of homeowners who advertise their properties online, there has never been a better time to make sure theirs stands out from the crowd. Whether it’s a first-timer who has never listed their place or someone who wants to refresh a rental that has seen better days, Hire My Home is ready to turn their property into a design dream.

     

     

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer at IWC said: “Letting our designers loose on some of the UK’s holiday lets is a great way to see some exciting and characterful transformations. This format will not only give Channel 4 viewers great inspiration for their next staycation, it will be full of creative ideas for improvements they can make in their own homes.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Head of Hub, Glasgow for Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC. Hire My Home will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  3. Relisted: Scotland’s Home Of The Year Recommissioned – Hunt Is On For Next Winner

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    Filming on series two of Scotland’s Home Of The Year begins in August and programme-makers IWC, a Banijay Group company, are looking for contenders. They want to hear from the owners of all kinds of properties, from urban studio flats to historic country piles. From Shetland to Stranraer and Orkney to Oban, prime properties from all over Scotland will be in the frame.

    Jo Street, Commissioner for BBC Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to announce a second series of Scotland’s Home of the Year. It isn’t just about showing off million-pound properties – it’s about truly celebrating what people have done to turn their house into a home, expressing their individuality through their design, flair and imagination. We saw some cracking houses over the course of series one and there are far more gems to uncover for series two.”

    The first series of Scotland’s Home of the Year became a hit with viewers after it was broadcast on the new BBC Scotland channel in April and May this year.

    The series has since seen its audience continue to grow on iPlayer with requests to view so far hitting more than a quarter of a million – 266,000.

    The format saw three judges – architect Michael Angus, interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones and lifestyle blogger Kate Spiers – travel the length and breadth of Scotland to discover architectural gems and unearth some stunning interiors. Both traditional and contemporary properties were put under the microscope and judges considered everything from a one-bedroom apartment to a centuries-old country castle … and everything in between.

    Each home was scored on functionality, distinctiveness and clever design and from seven finalists, one clear winner of series one was chosen – the White House in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, created by proud owner Lesley Smith and her late husband Mike.

    Series two will have a slightly longer run than series one with nine 30-minute heats, each featuring three properties from a specific part of the country. The 27 houses featured will then be whittled down to a final nine which will go under the spotlight in an hour-long final episode.

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer, IWC said: “We are thrilled that Scotland’s Home of the Year is returning to the BBC Scotland channel. The first series was a joy to make and we have only scratched the surface of the beautiful and distinctive homes Scotland has to offer. We can’t wait to get started.”

    If you’d like to be considered for the next series of Scotland’s Home of the Year, get in touch at scotlandshomes@IWCMedia.co.uk

    For more information, contact BBC Scotland Press Office on PressOfficeScotland@bbc.co.uk,
    or 0141 422 6381.

  4. Susan Calman Continues to Explore Secret Scotland for Channel 5

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    Following the success of Secret Scotland earlier in the year, today Channel 5 announces the series has been recommissioned for a second series.

     

    The 6×60 travel series from IWC Media, a Banijay Group company, and Motion Content Group sees presenter, Susan Calman discover the big stories and the untold tales behind Scotland’s beloved spots, with privileged access to some of Scotland’s most famous locations. In a warm, light-hearted but always informative journey, Secret Scotland looks in-depth at the history, characters and treasures hidden in these stunning spots.

     

    This series is set to feature six new areas in Scotland and will air later this year on Channel 5.

     

    Susan Calman said:

    I was delighted with the response to the first series and I am so excited to get back on the road to show Channel 5 viewers what else this beautiful country has to offer

     

    Guy Davies, Factual Commissioning Editor Factual said:

    Susan was a great success with our viewers in the first series earlier this year and we can’t wait for her to bring back her wit, insight, enthusiasm and sense of fun in a second run of this lively travelogue

     

    Executive Producer at IWC Media, Gerard Costello, said:

    “We are thrilled that Susan is continuing with her wonderful journeys around Scotland, where there are many more places, and their secrets, left to explore. Susan is full of curiosity about her homeland and we know her natural humour and enthusiasm will be a joy to watch once again. ”

     

    Executive Producer at Motion Content Group, Melanie Darlaston commented:

    “What a fun way to discover the best of Scotland. With her infectious enthusiasm and sense of humour, Susan really is the perfect host.”