Channel 4 has ordered a slate of new lifestyle shows from Curve Media (Surgery Secrets of the Super-Rich), Crackit North (Secrets of Supercheap Shopping ), Afro Mic (Knackered: Why Can’t We Sleep?) and STV Studios (The Antiques Riviera).
Surgery Secrets of the Super-Rich, from Curve Media’s team in Cardiff, seeks to explore what beauty treatments have been available to the stars in recent years that may not be known by the masses. In each hour-long episode, viewers will hear from the top aesthetician clinics in the country. The series will feature talking heads from the professionals who have been providing the wealthy with touch ups. “They will help viewers better understand how their work can go unrecognisable, or at least make people notice a new positive manner their clients might possess.”
Commissioning Editor Deborah Dunnett reflects: “Cosmetic surgery is in a new era. And the very fact the trend is called ‘undetectable beauty’ makes me desperate to get to the bottom of what’s going on. The beauty of Curve’s series is that by working with this otherwise inaccessible world, we can all understand what treatments there are, what they cost, what the physical toll is and how much time we’d need to take off work to get it without anyone knowing!”
Camilla Lewis from Curve Media adds: “With Surgery Secrets of the Super-Rich, we wanted to go beyond the headlines and hashtags to explore the real people, pressures, and procedures driving Britain’s cosmetic surgery boom. It’s glossy, revealing, and full of surprises, and we can’t wait for viewers to see it.”
Surgery Secrets of the Super Rich (6×60’) is commissioned for Channel 4 by Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor, Lifestyle, with Jo Street, Director of Commissioning, Nations & Regions and Head of Lifestyle. It is executive produced by Camilla Lewis and Charlie Bunce with Showrunner Katy Fryer.
Newfour-part series from Manchester-based Crackit North, Secrets of Supercheap Shopping, goes “behind the scenes and onto the shop floors to investigate how discount disruptors can slash prices and ultimately save Brits money.”
Each episode will feature interviews with the brains behind the businesses to hear how they get customers onboard with shelf talker tactics in shops, or special promotions to tempt online consumers.
Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 says: “We’re all eager to find out the secrets behind the bargains, and in ‘Secrets of Supercheap Shopping’, Crackit North have delivered an informative and fascinating series.”
Elaine Hackett, CEO of Crackit North, said: “With more and more of us tightening our belts and exploring more affordable shopping options, many shoppers have been left wondering how the discount disruptors we see in every town centre and online are able to keep prices down. With access to key figures from some of the country’s most recognisable stores and brands, this series reveals the industry secrets that have been kept firmly ‘behind the counter’ until now.”
Secrets of Supercheap Shopping (4 x 60’) is commissioned by Deborah Dunnett and Senior Commissioning Editor Clemency Green with Jo Street, Director of Commissioning, Nations & Regions and Head of Lifestyle. It is executive produced by Kerry Brierley and Elaine Hackett with series producer, Curtis Leighton-Jones.
A new documentary from Afro-Mic Productions will tackle the science of sleep and offer expert insights on the causes and potential remedies for tiredness and insomnia.
Insomnia is thought to affect around 1 in 3 people the UK with some estimates suggesting as many as nine out of 10 adults experience issues with their sleep. Channel 4 will take on the topic in a new single documentary from Belfast-based Afro-Mic Productions. The programme will examine the causes of lack of sleep, investigate the myths and misconceptions about tiredness, and offer tips and tricks for helping to get the best rest.
Knackered: Why Can’t We Sleep? (w/t) (1 x 60) is made by Afro-Mic Production for Channel 4. Executive Producer is Afro-Mic’s Managing Director, Emma-Rosa Dias. The programme is commissioned for Channel 4 by Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor for Lifestyle, with Jo Street, Head of Lifestyle and Director of Commissioning, Nations & Regions. Worldwide distribution will be managed by Orange Smarty.
Channel 4’s Deborah Dunnet comments: “Channel 4 continues to tackle subjects that make us healthier and happier, and few things are more important for our wellbeing – both physical and mental – than getting enough sleep. I’m really pleased to have the creative team at Afro-Mic producing this documentary. I’ve already transformed how I sleep just from the revelation in their pitch”.
Afro Mic Productions’ Emma-Rosa Dias adds: “Our sleep is one of the biggest topics of daily conversation, from the school gates to the coffee queue. Afro-Mic Productions are incredibly excited to make this documentary exploring the very best scientifically-proven sleep advice out there. Our team is already sleeping better and we can’t wait to bring these tips and tricks to the audience.”
The Antiques Riviera is a six-part series for More4 produced in Glasgow by STV Studios Factual (Antiques Road Trip, The Yorkshire Auction House).
The show follows the antiques market of the south coast and its expert traders and local dealers. Each hour-long episode will welcome a new seller who is looking to turn their items into cash. “By offering their heirlooms and antiques to dealers up and down the Devon coastline, the sellers hope they’ll leave with as much money as possible to fund their dreams – whether that’s a once in a lifetime holiday, deposit for their first home, or even their wedding.”
Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 commented: “Who wouldn’t want to escape to the Antiques Riviera? A glorious backdrop, brilliantly British characters, money to be made and really heartfelt stories. We know our More4 audience is going to love this series.”
Craig Hunter, Creative Director, STV Studios Factual added: “Inspired by the real world buzzing antiques trade in this corner of the UK, I’m thrilled that we are able to reimagine the antiques genre for the More4 audience. This commission is a strong vote of confidence in our expertise from the Nations and Regions and I can’t wait for viewers to escape to this sunny new format.”
The Antiques Riveria (6 x60’) is commissioned by Deborah Dunnett, with Jo Street, Director of Commissioning, Nations & Regions and Head of Lifestyle. It is executive produced by John Redshaw and Creative Director Craig Hunter, with series producer Gyles Neville. The series was developed by Lucy Hazzard and Jodie Leith. ITV Studios will internationally distribute the show.
Jon Creamer
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