Zinc Media’s popular factual label Red Sauce, has secured a volume commission of its Manchester-made Bargain Loving Brits brand from Channel 5. The company has been commissioned to make 54 hours of programming – which is the largest volume deal ever received by a Zinc Media label.
The Channel 5 daytime version of the series Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, a 40 x 60 min commission, returns for its second run. It is joined by the recommission of the peak version Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun which is a 8 x 60 min commission, increasing from its usual six episodes. The UK based Bargain Loving Brits by the Sea (6 x 60 min) will also return for a third series.
Tom Edwards, Creative Director, Red Sauce, says: “These series have been a huge hit with viewers, with the daytime version increasing the channel’s slot share by a third and beating tough competition on other channels. Audiences have a huge hunger right now for ‘real life soap opera’ which this series delivers by the bucket (and spade) full.
“Bargain Loving Brits is a production miracle. The previous run of 40 episodes were commissioned in July, began filming in August in Spain and landed in the edit in October. This is a real testimony to our talented production team in Manchester and our wider support team in London.
“With another commission, from a different channel, soon to be announced along with another likely recommission, we are delighted that Red Sauce is delivering high in volume but high in quality programming. We’ve made, or had commissioned, 120 hours of TV since our launch 18 months ago – we’re really pleased with this start.”
Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun daytime charts the lives of the Brits who’ve swapped the damp and grey of the UK for a new life in the UK’s most popular holiday destination, Spain. Covering a cross section of ex-pat stories, drawn from across the sun-kissed coastlines, the new series will continue to deliver on the much-loved and instantly-recognisable characters of the previous BLB series, but will enhance the storytelling with the introduction of a wider range of characters and locations. In its new series, the original peak-slot iteration Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, will continue to take an in-depth look at the community of Britons who’ve moved to Benidorm for sun and a low-cost life. Bargain Loving Brits by the Sea follows the army of people in the hospitality and leisure industry who battle day in, day out to give Brits the holiday of a lifetime in Northern seaside towns.
Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun daytime was commissioned for Channel 5 by Denise Seneviratne. The Showrunner is Gerard Barry and it is Executive Produced by Tom Edwards and Gerard Barry for Red Sauce at Zinc Media and by Claire Zolkwer at Channel 5.
Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun was commissioned for Channel 5 by Denise Seneviratne. The Showrunner is Gerard Barry, and it is Executive Produced by Ben Smith and Gerard Barry for Red Sauce at Zinc Media.
Bargain Loving Brits by the Sea was commissioned for Channel 5 by Denise Seneviratne. It is Executive Produced by Ben Smith for Red Sauce at Zinc Media.
Jon Creamer
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