Tag Archive: RDF

  1. RDF to Bring Back Puppy Series with 12 New Families for BBC Two

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    RDF, a Banijay Group Company, today announces it has been commissioned by BBC Two to make a 6×60’ prime-time specialist factual show: 12 Puppies and Us: The Next Chapter.

    The new series will follow 12 families across Britain who have just become puppy owners, as they navigate their first difficult, but also joyful, few months together. It will also re-visit some of the dogs who featured in previous RDF series, 10 Puppies and Us, that aired on BBC Two in 2018, to find out how the different breeds have developed over the last two years.

    12 Puppies and Us: The Next Chapter will feature both adopted rescue and responsibly-bought puppies, that face a range of behavioural challenges a new puppy can present, from the first ever walkies to toilet training fails. From today’s most popular breeds such as Whippets and Dachshunds, to dogs who provide specialist services and care, this series will explore how to raise a puppy from cradle to adolescence and on to adulthood.

    Dan Barraclough, Executive Producer, RDF said:“The recent lockdown has seen a surge in interest from people wanting to take on a puppy and from a really diverse range of families and backgrounds. From tiny dogs like the Chinese Crested Powderpuff to Great Danes, people are looking into some very different breeds, so it will be intriguing to see how each family deals with the challenges of their particular pup. And they’ll be growing up in dramatically different environments – from city flats to open farmland. It will also be fascinating to be able follow up on the pups from previous series to see how they have developed over 2 years. There will be some recurring bad habits, but also some surprising transformations to marvel at.”

     Abigail Priddle, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual, BBC Two said: “I’m so excited to have a new cohort of puppies joining us on BBC TWO. From large dogs to small, rescue pups to responsibly bred, this series will be a wonderful way of sharing in the joys, troubles, tips and training that come with a new four-legged friend.”

    12 Puppies and Us: The Next Chapter was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Science and Natural History. The Commissioning Editor is Abigail Priddle and it is Executive Produced by Dan Barraclough at RDF. RDF is part of Banijay Group, and all worldwide rights to 12 Puppies and Us: The Next Chapter are owned by Banijay Rights.

  2. Sparks to fly: Lightning commissioned for BBC Two

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    The BBC has commissioned Fizz and Nice One TV to produce Lightning, a new teatime entertainment show hosted by award winning comic Zoe Lyons.

     

    Lightning sees the traditional quiz show collide with gameshow, in a fast-paced and frantic format designed to leave contestants’ nerves in tatters.

     

    Six challengers battle it out across six adrenaline-pumping rounds while a ruthless spotlight patrols the studio eliminating contestants. The challengers’ motivation is simple: do whatever it takes to stay out of the light.

     

    With dramatic lightning and a thundering soundtrack, Lightning will combine quick-fire questions with physical trials bringing a new pace and tone to the teatime quiz slot on BBC Two.

     

    Zoe Lyons will preside, supporting contestants as they strive to reach the ultimate goal of £3,000 prize money.

     

    Lightning is filmed in Northern Ireland with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

     

    Zoe Lyons said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be the host of Lightning. It’s a dream job for me as I’m a massive quiz fan and – unlike the contestants – I love being in the spotlight.”

     

    Carla-Maria Lawson, BBC Head of Daytime and Early Peak said: “The pace and the calibre of competition in Lightning along with Zoe’s energy and wit, will bring a real buzz to BBC Two teatimes”.

     

    Neale Simpson, Creative Director of Fizz said: “This show combines frenetic Q&A with physical challenges, putting contestants on the spot like no other, and it’s a joy to have Zoe on hand to restore calm after the storm when Lightning strikes!”

     

    Chris Jones, Nice One’s founder said: “BBC Two is the home of clever, funny quiz formats, and our hope is that the nation’s quizzers will really love Lightning.”

     

    Lightning is a 25×30’ series for BBC Two. The format was devised by Banijay Group’s Fizz (part of RDF) and Nice One. The Executive Producers are Neale Simpson (Fizz) and Chris Jones (Nice One).  It was commissioned by Carla-Maria Lawson, BBC Head of Daytime and Early Peak, and Muslim Alim, Commissioning Editor BBC Daytime and Early-Peak.

  3. RDF to Document Building of Britain’s Most Expensive Home for Channel 4

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    RDF, a Banijay Group Company, today announces it has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a 1×60’ prime-time documentary following the building of billionaire businessman, John Caudwell’s, lavish new home in London’s Mayfair.

     

    In Britain’s Most Expensive Home: Building for a Billionaire, RDF has exclusive access to the building site of one of the most epic homes ever to be renovated in the UK. The documentary will tell the story of this complex project, covering almost 50,000 square foot that must be carried out in the narrow confines of historic Mayfair.

     

    Over budget and behind schedule, the build is far from plain sailing. Self-made billionaire and philanthropist John Caudwell, who sold Phones 4u in 2006 for just under £1.5 billion, is at the heart of the film, cajoling builders and designers alike to deliver on his vision for his new home. With access to the trades people and interior designers who must answer to one exacting client the film follows their work as a they try to meet the new deadline for completion.

     

    Unique engineering tasks and challenges include a vast subterranean basement that joins two mansions together, housing a mechanical car stacker that can store eight cars at the click of a button, and a second floor dining room featuring a river with live fish.

     

    Dan Barraclough, Executive Producer, RDF said: “This incredible access gives us a glimpse into the world of the truly mega wealthy, where every whim can be realised, but where things can still go wrong, as on any building site. At the heart of the programme is the intriguing character of Caudwell himself – A tough taskmaster, but also a committed philanthropist. He is a man with huge wealth, but one who still counts the pennies, the boy from Stoke who has set his heart on a home in the ‘old money’ world of Mayfair. It makes for a fascinating character portrayal.”

     

    Britain’s Most Expensive Home: Building for a Billionaire was commissioned by Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor for Features & Formats at Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Dan Barraclough at RDF. RDF is part of the Banijay Group, and all worldwide rights to Britain’s Most Expensive Home : Building for a Billionaire are owned by Banijay Rights.

  4. RDF’s How to Spend it Well at Christmas to Return For Third Series and Holiday Spin-off on ITV

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    RDF, a Banijay Group Company, today announces ITV has commissioned a new prime-time series How to Spend It Well On Holiday With Phillip Schofield, due to air next year. The show is an extension of the How To Spend It Well brand, with the successful factual consumer format How To Spend It Well At Christmas With Phillip Schofield also being commissioned for a third 3×60’ series, airing in the run up to Christmas this year.

     

    How To Spend It Well On Holiday With Phillip Schofield will be aiming to help families make the most of their money on holiday next year, revealing the inside tips and secrets on how to get the best deals, avoid paying over the odds and getting the best holidays for your budget from staycations at home to family holidays in the Mediterranean, exotic long haul  beach getaways and sunshine cruises.

     

    How To Spend It Well At Christmas With Phillip Schofield will return, aiming to be an indispensable guide to what is on offer in the shops and online, to help the nation save money and make savvy choices as it gears up for Christmas 2019. For the first time on How To Spend It, Phillip and the team investigate that big date in the calendar – Black Friday – to find out what the hype is all about, and where viewers might find the genuine deals on the day.

     

    In each programme, Phillip enlists the help of some famous faces, his wife Steph, and members of the public to test and rate this year’s Christmas offerings, and advise consumers where they should spend their cash, at one of the most expensive times of the year. The series will cover the latest ‘must-have’ toys, to see if they are worth the sometimes-huge price tags? Food and drink will be taste-tested, and gifts and gadgets will be tried out to see if they are gifts for life, or a novelty just for Christmas. At the end of each episode, Phillip will reveal the top three picks he thinks should take pride of place under your Christmas tree.

     

    Dan Barraclough, Executive Producer, RDF said: “We are really excited to be extending this successful and well-loved brand into holidays with the ever-talented Phillip Schofield. Our holidays are now more precious to us all than ever and we are faced with a myriad of choices and decisions when we book them, so who better to guide us through the maze and to help us have the best holidays we can afford than Phillip and the Spend It Well team?”

     

    Priya Singh, Commissioning Editor, Factual for ITV said: “Holidays and Christmas are two of the nation’s favourite, yet  most expensive times of the year and we’re pleased to be on hand to help empower viewers get the very best for their money on both thanks to Phillip Schofield and the team. “

     

    How To Spend It Well At Christmas With Phillip Schofield and How To Spend It Well On Holiday With Phillip Schofield were commissioned by Priya Singh at ITV and are Executive Produced by Dan Barraclough at RDF and Mark Hill at RDF West. RDF is part of the Banijay Group and all worldwide rights to both series are owned by Banijay Rights.

  5. Neale Simpson Takes Lead Role at RDF’s Fizz

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    Banijay UK today announces Creative Director of Fizz, Neale Simpson, is to take reins at The Crystal Maze and Tipping Point entertainment label. Tasked with growing the business and its output, he will step up to lead all development, production and operations.

     

    Having been with RDF for nine years and founded Fizz just under five years ago, Simpson has most recently been central to the UK productions and international roll-out of The Crystal Maze and Shipwrecked. In his new capacity, he will act as Executive Producer across all the label’s titles, while concentrating on expanding the entertainment label through a fresh development drive and streamlined approach to production.

     

    As Creative Director, Simpson is also set to further collaboration with umbrella brand RDF’s factual team across all genres. In a bid to build on Fizz’s success to date, and foster a strong and diverse slate, he will encourage cross-pollination across the two teams, while triggering a recruitment drive to attract new development talent.

     

    Alongside Fizz’s operations, the Creative Director continues to oversee the ongoing partnership with Nice One Productions. Since the co-development/production deal was signed last year, Simpson and the Northern Irish company’s Founder and Creative Director, Chris Jones, have worked up a strong pipeline of content, which resulted in the recent commission of Fight Dirty, a feel-good fact-ent format for BBC Three. A further commission announcement will follow in the coming weeks.

     

    Simpson continues to report to RDF’s MD, Jim Allen.

     

    Jim Allen comments: “Anyone who has worked with Neale knows he is infectiously enthusiastic, wildly creative, hugely committed and, only occasionally, quite tiring. He has done a brilliant job building up Fizz and leading from the front. Neale hasn’t got a backward step in his repertoire and we are lucky to have such an inspirational entertainment leader.”

     

    Neale Simpson comments: “Working with the immensely talented team at Fizz and RDF, and antagonising Jim, is a daily privilege. I’m delighted, and relieved, that no one has stepped in to end it all just yet. I’m very excited about the announcements we’ll be sharing soon and to see what new entertainment adventures we can create next.”

  6. BBC One Commissions Further Series of Eat Well For Less? and Shop Well For Less?

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    BBC One today announces it has commissioned RDF West to make a seventh series of Eat Well for Less? and a fifth series of Shop Well for Less? for the channel. Both recommissions of these successful long-running lifestyle formats will be 6×60’ and begin filming later this year.

    The Gregg Wallace and Chris Bavin fronted Eat Well for Less? will be returning to show more families that they can save significant amounts of money on food and reduce their waste, without scrimping on quality or nutrition. By using simple tips, tricks, swaps and easy recipes, they can slash a weekly food budget. In Shop Well for Less? The One Show’s Alex Jones and BBC Breakfast’s Steph McGovern tackle families who are over-spending on products, from branded cleaning spray to designer clothes; aiming to change the way people shop, without changing their lifestyle.

    Both series have recently been on air and continue to rate well, particularly with family audiences. Series six of Eat Well For Less? started going out in May and series four of Shop Well for Less? is currently transmitting on Wednesdays at 8pm.

    BBC Commissioning Executive Ricky Cooper said: “We’re absolutely thrilled Eat Well for Less? and Shop Well for Less? are returning to BBC One.  Whether saving us money, improving our diets or showing us all simple ways to live more sustainably, these series continue to delight and entertain in equal measure.”

    Managing Director of RDF, Jim Allen said: “Less is more is the blindingly simple mantra of both shows and that message and mission is as relevant today as it was when the series were launched.   Whether it’s exorbitantly priced, branded mosturisers or eye wateringly expensive ‘luxury’ muesli, both shows remain ready to take on and tame conspicuous consumption. And have fun while doing it!”

    Eat Well for Less? and Shop Well for Less? were commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director, BBC Content and David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment. Ricky Cooper is the Commissioning Executive, and they are Executive Produced by Jo Scarratt-Jones for RDF West. All worldwide rights to Eat Well for Less? and Shop Well for Less? are owned by Banijay Rights.

  7. Nickelodeon Greenlights The Crystal Maze, All-New Version Of UK Hit Game Show

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    Nickelodeon is bringing the legendary UK hit game show The Crystal Maze to the U.S. in an all-new version, co-produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World, The Challenge, Born This Way) and RDF Television (Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, Wife Swap, Shipwrecked), all under the Banijay Group. A longtime staple of British pop culture and family entertainment, The Crystal Maze–considered the forerunner to the current escape room craze–is a competitive challenge featuring a family team who must utilize physical and mental skills to successfully navigate an elaborate labyrinth of four giant and immersive themed zones.

     

    Casting is underway on the new series (10 one-hour episodes) which begins production on the original set in Bristol, England, this summer.  The show’s host, who guides the family through each challenge and adventure, and the series premiere, will be announced at a later date.

     

    “As Nickelodeon embraces co-viewing opportunities for every member of the family, The Crystal Maze brings a new type of action game and storytelling to audiences with its escape room-style gameplay and emphasis on collaboration and teamwork to win,” said Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Unscripted Content.

     

    The Crystal Maze has long served as a staple of the UK entertainment landscape and we could not be happier to be reinventing the show for a younger demo alongside our sister companies, RDF and Stephen David Entertainment. Acting as the first series for BMP’s Kids and Family Division, the show will  build on our reputation in the competitive game space and we’ve no doubt by partnering with Nickelodeon, we can build a new audience for this brand in the U.S.,” said Gil Goldschein, Chief Executive Officer, Bunim/Murray Productions.

     

    Nickelodeon’s version of The Crystal Maze will feature a team of family members tackling a range of challenges in zones collectively known as The Crystal Maze. Each successful game is rewarded with a ‘time crystal’ that equals five seconds in the centerpiece Crystal Dome. The adventure culminates in a spectacular finale, as the team enters the Dome to grab a cash prize as it flies around them during a dramatic clock countdown.

     

    A current ratings smash in the UK, The Crystal Maze has been a beloved family and cult favorite since the mid ‘90s, with the current global popularity of the escape room phenomena reigniting interest further. The show was recently rebooted to great success with celebrity, charity and family seasons in UK, Australia and beyond.

     

    The Crystal Maze is executive produced by Gil Goldschein and Maria Pepin from Bunim/Murray Productions, Neale Simpson from Fizz, part of RDF Television, and Stephen David from Stephen David Entertainment. Production of The Crystal Maze for Nickelodeon is overseen by Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Content.