17 July 2015
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and S4C have renewed a partnership deal to develop primetime entertainment formats for the Welsh broadcaster and international market – resulting in two full series commissions as well as two new pilots currently in development.
The deal, which is now in its second year, sees Sony Pictures Television and S4C develop original non-scripted format ideas with a number of Welsh production companies - with a focus on primetime entertainment, factual entertainment, reality and game shows - that appeal to both the S4C audience and the international market. SPT then distributes those shows globally.
Over the past twelve months, SPT and S4C have selected two formats out of a wide range of submitted ideas to be developed into TX pilots, both of which subsequently managed to secure a full series commission from S4C.
Ar y Dibyn (Wild Recruits) is a 6x60’ series that sees eight contestants compete against each other in outdoor challenges – from caving to death-defying zip wire drops - as they battle it out to win the chance to become a professional outdoor adventure leader. As well as the gruelling physical tests, competitors also have to prove their leadership skills every step of the way. Presented by Lowri Morgan and Dilwyn Sanderson-Jones, the reality format is currently in production for broadcast on S4C in the autumn. The series is produced by one of Wales’ most established and well-respected independent production companies, Cwmni Da with Aled Davies as producer.
Ffasiwn Bildar (Model Builder w/t) meanwhile, is a competitive format that searches for a new face to represent the building trade on the catwalk. The 6x30' series is produced by Teledu Avanti cyf, with Emyr Afan of Teledu Avanti cyf and Tracy-Jean from SPT executive producing. It will be filmed over the summer for broadcast on S4C in 2016.
Wayne Garvie, Chief Creative Officer for International Production, Sony Pictures Television, said: “S4C is a fantastic creative partner and our collaboration has already produced great results. We will continue to build on that success over the coming year to really showcase Wales and Welsh producers to the global television community.”
Elen Rhys, S4C Content Commissioner for Entertainment, said: "This is an exciting and valuable collaboration for all parties involved. As well as sharing creative expertise and innovative new ideas, one of the great advantages of the scheme is to make the most of what the creative industries have to offer and to showcase Wales across the world, opening economic opportunities for broadcasters to buy into our formats and offering the chance to come here to make their programmes. We look forward to seeing this partnership with SPT go from strength to strength."
With the partnership extension, SPT and S4C are now in the process of developing two new TX pilots – a format around reviving traditional trades, as well as a reality series set in the world of truckers.
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