02 October 2014
As part of a new Celtic co-production partnership, companies from Scotland and Ireland are working together with a Welsh production company to produce a new quiz series.
Cwmni Da, which has its base in Caernarfon, is working with Ireland's TV3 and Scottish channel STV to produce the new quiz called Celwydd Noeth (bare faced lie) for broadcast on S4C in 2015.
The quiz show format, which is owned by TV3, STV and GroupM, has also caught the eye of broadcasters in the UK and the US.
Cwmni Da producer Aled Davies says, "This is a perfect working relationship with our Celtic partners. We're able to use an entertainment quiz format which works well for Ireland, Scotland and for us in Wales too. Celwydd Noeth features colourful characters playing for big money, and as well as being an enjoyable experience for the contestants, the viewers will enjoy the tension too!"
STV and TV3 have each already broadcast a series of the quiz to audiences in Scotland and Ireland, under the title 'The Lie', and have been well received by viewers. Fronting the series in Scotland is popular comedian Susan Calman, and in Ireland it's fronted by Jonathan McCrea.
Taking the reins in the Welsh version will be the experienced presenter from Anglesey, Nia Roberts – a safe pair of hands to look after and share out the prize moneys.
With the Welsh name Celwydd Noeth, the series offers a different type of quiz where the competitors don't need to answer any questions. In each round the competitors will be presented with a list of facts, and among them is one 'bare faced lie'. Working in pairs, they must select the false fact in order to move on to the next level, claiming more money for the prize pot.
Only by selecting each lie correctly, and reaching the final level, can the competitors claim the £10,000 jackpot.
Cwmni Da went in to the studio to record the S4C series at the end of September, with a line-up of entertaining and eager contestants. September also saw STV and TV3 record their second series'.
Gaynor Davies, S4C Content Commissioner for Entertainment says that the offer to co-operate on this new programme was an exciting opportunity;
"This is a gripping and addictive quiz which will keep viewers, and the competitors, on tenterhooks. This series will appeal to a wide range of viewers, and is something the whole family can enjoy together. This format in particular offered new and fresh ideas as well as plenty of scope to develop its own Welsh identity. We were very pleased to work with STV, TV3 and Cwmni Da to make it happen, and hope to seek out more opportunities to work in partnership again in the future."
Alan Clements, Director of Content for STV Productions, said, "It's really exciting to be back in the studio with our presenters and contestants, and to bring this innovative format to peak time audiences on S4C for the first time, and to STV and TV3 for a second series. The second series of The Lie further strengthens STV Productions' credentials in the entertainment genre, which currently include recommissions for Catchphrase for ITV and The Link for BBC."
Andrew Byrne, TV3 Group Head of Development and Formats, said: "The Lie was TV3’s first co-production and first venture into big entertainment game shows. It’s really encouraging to see how far we’ve come in just one year, with external commissions from both Scotland and Wales and interest from France and the UK as well as the US. It has been a real pleasure working with our partners STV Productions and GroupM on the format and we are very pleased to welcome S4C and Cwmni Da to the TV3 Sony HD Studio to create the Welsh version, Celwydd Noeth."
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