News

Celebrity Masterchef

Thursday's Celebrity Masterchef won the night's ratings - peaking at 5.5 million! Tune in for the next instalment of the semi-finals tonight at 8.30 p.m. on BBC1. Congratulations to the Masterchef team.

Banged Up

The good news for the prison service is that the media have, due to the recent airing on 7th July of Banged Up, started to wonder if something can be done about the escalating numbers of people in prison. Banged Up floats the theory that if you show teenagers how bad life inside is then it will put them off a life of crime. The Radio times quoted David Blunkett as saying 'To change behaviour it's necessary to change the individual'. The press, initially suspicious that the show would be 'another reality programme', soon realised the purpose and intentions behind the series. The Guardian 7th July previewed the show commenting. 'The bigger surprise is Banged Up, which turns out to be a compelling study of young offenders and the possibility of thoughtful intervention' TV reviewer Andrew Billen reported about the general interest that television is taking in prison life...'but it will have to go some way to be as worthy as Banged Up, which contained no laughs at all and left you feeling good for just having watched it'. He went on to say 'The first episode, however, showed how effective a short sharp shock can be. The secret is that although it must seem an eternity at the time, ten days is not long enough to get used to anything.' The production team would definitely agree with Andrew there. There was a huge amount of press coverage previewing the first episode; interviews with David Blunkett in the Radio Times, The Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail, Express, Metro. TV and Radio picked it up with an interview on Five News, BBC Breakfast, Radio 4 Andrew Marr and Front Row. It was also pick of the day in most of the news papers, listings and TV guides. One of our teenage contributors, Daniel Cooke and his Mum Norah went on This Morning on Monday 7th, with Bob Croxton (ex offender) to talk about the show. 1 million people tuned in to see the first episode. The repeat on Sunday night captured a favourable audience and episode two hit just under a million viewers. There has been a massive response from viewers inside and outside of prison. Parents who have teenagers either in a Young Offending Institute or are worried about their kids ending up there want to know how we can help. Comments from people within the probation service, prison service and the police, who were initially very sceptical, have commented on how much they liked the programme and how well it has highlighted the need for intervention with troubled teenagers. So while we eat our chips off the plaudits of Banged Up, don't forget to tune in on the 21 July for Episode 3 and 28 July for Episodes 4.

Gladiators Ratings Triumph !

Sky One's revival of the 1990s hit Gladiators was an instant ratings hit last night with a huge 1.5m viewers (11.6%) at 6pm, nearly five times more than the channel's average audience. The hour-long entertainment show, which first aired in the UK in 1992 on ITV, began with 1.3m (10.6% and rose steadily to a high of 1.6m (11.8%) in the final 15 minutes. The show was not far off being five times higher than the channel's slot average for the year so far of just 322,000 (1.7%). The Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallacher-fronted entertainment show was also three times the channel's slot average for all of 2007 of 510,000 (3.4%). Last night's show was also a big hit with younger viewers as 46.2% of the audience were aged 16-34. The programme also brought in a sizeable amount of ABC1 viewers with that demographic making up 37.4% of the audience.

Shine North BATTLE to yet another commission

Shine North have won the latest in a long line of very exciting commissions, with BBC TV signing up to an initial run of 20 x 30" episodes of "Battle" - a brand new quiz show. Production has started already in the Manchester Office and the studio is set for Summer 2008.

Gladiators Goes On-Line

With the hugely anticipated arrival of Shine's brand new series of Gladiators, Shine and Sky One have spent the last few months building the brand new, all singing, all dancing Gladiators website www.sky.com/Gladiators. Featuring: - "The Videator" featuring brand new video, presented by old favourites Jet & Hunter (and produced by the wonderful Toni Ireland and Ben Bacon), featuring set tours, contenders auditions, interviews with the Gladiators/Ian Wright/John Anderson behind the scenes of each week's episode, and weekly fitness tips to train for each of the Gladiators events. - "The Gladiators" - all you need to know about the brand new Gladiators. - "The Legends" - a retrospective look at the gladiators of old. - "News" and "Galleries" - keeping you up to date with the lead up to the series and each weeks episode. - "Path to Glory" - See how the competition is hotting up each week, with info about all of the contenders. AND "FANTASY GLADIATORS" - It's like fantasy football, but with Gladiators and massive prizes. What's not to love!! Plus a weekly competition to Win a Wii a Week! Check it out - click and be merry. Tell everyone you know. Go now. http://gladiators.sky.com

Tribewanted nominated for Broadcast Digital Channel Awards

Features' hit BBC2 series "Tribewanted" has been nominated Best Social Networking Site in the Broadcast Digital Channel Awards. The category had a record number of entries this year, so (they tell us) "to be shortlisted is an achievement in itself". Which it is - congratulations to all involved. A complete list of all finalists will be available to view Wednesday 30th May at the Broadcast Digital Channel Awards website. Please visit www2.broadcastnow.co.uk/dcawards

Entertainment commission is doubly Annoying

Steven D Wright's Entertainment Department has won a double commission for its hugely successful BBC3 brand "Most Annoying ...". This time, the microscope will immediately focus on the "Most Annoying Couples" before turning its attention later in the year to the "Most Annoying People of 2008". Both shows have been commissioned by Katie Taylor at BBC3, and Steven D Wright will Exec Prod both. Anna Gien will be Series Producer.

Gladiators Specials commissioned by Sky One

Sky One has commissioned a run of three special episodes to be recorded in early May. They will feature the return of some of the Legends of the previous series, as well as representatives of the Army and the Navy. The third episode will feature as yet unnamed Celebrities. All three specials will see the contenders tackle the new legion of Gladiators, put together for the main series which begins its run on Sky One at 6pm on Sunday, 11th May.

"What On Earth" commissioned for Shine North

Shine North has secured another commission, this time for a studio based panel show revolving around the world of science. Production starts Monday 21st April and the Executive Producers will be Karen Smith and Robin Ashbrook. The Series Producer is Neil Gallery.

Sky commission “Gladiators” supporting programming from Shine

Two new films have been commissioned by Sky examaining the phenomenon that is "Gladiators". Charting the history of the show from its very early days "Gladiators - Where Are They Now" will track down the UK's previous Gladiators and see what they've been up to since the show came off air. "The A-Z of Gladiators" will be every fan's dream, doing exactly as it says on the tin !

The Finale of Masterchef beats all-comers

The final of Masterchef pulled in a staggering 5.132m viewers, beating every single other channel. The show peaked at 5.74m viewers as the winner was announced.

Blunkett to lock up juveniles for Five

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett is to lock up juvenile delinquents on the cusp of a life of crime in a new show for Five. Banged Up (4 x 60-minutes) is branded as a social experiment by Five and will follow 10 juveniles who are 'jailed' for two weeks in a former prison in Scarborough. Reformed criminals will speak to the 'inmates' in an attempt to steer them back on the right path with harrowing tales from their own lives. Every other day, a 'parole board' led by Blunkett will speak to the juveniles about their experiences and possible rehabilitation. Five's head of factual entertainment and multi-channel commissioner, Steve Gowans, has commissioned Shine North to produce the series for broadcast later this year. Blunkett said: "Linking preventative work in warning young people, with a clear method of getting across to both potential criminals and the public as a whole, the reality of prison, will make a significant contribution to both education and greater understanding." The 'inmates' will be selected from pupil referral units, charities, youth groups and community projects. Those who are chosen will be deemed suitable from benefiting from such an experiment while offering a perspective on the debate surrounding youth crime and punishment. Executive producer is Robin Ashbrook and series producer is Andrew Nicholson.

Shine Completes Reveille Productions Acquisition

London - Shine today announced it had completed the acquisition of leading US production and distribution company Reveille, which joins the Shine Group of companies. The deal sees Reveille's senior management team of Chris Grant, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and Lee Rierson remain at the company. Reveille founder Ben Silverman left the company last year to become co-Chairman at NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, although he remains a producer on all of the movies and television shows started under his watch. Reveille's distribution arm re-brands to Shine Reveille with immediate effect, adding an international distribution dimension to the Shine Group which also boasts leading UK producers Kudos, Firefly and Princess Productions. The group companies have worked previously on Reveille formats, with Princess Productions producing Date My Mom for MTV (UK) and Shine being recently commissioned to produce Gladiators for Sky One. Shine CEO and Chairman, Elisabeth Murdoch said: "Reveille is a unique production company, their creativity, drive and track record in production and distribution is unrivalled in the US and internationally. The business that they have built is universally admired, they are a cultural and commercial fit with us, and I'm excited about the potential that their joining us brings the Shine Group." "We are thrilled to join forces with Elisabeth Murdoch and the Shine Group to continue the evolution of this incredible company that Ben Silverman created and guided with unparalleled vision," said Lee Rierson, Managing Director Reveille. By combining Reveille's outstanding management team and track record domestically and internationally with Shine's extraordinary strength in the UK, this transaction creates a truly global entertainment powerhouse." Ben Silverman, co-Chairman at NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios said; "I have known Elisabeth Murdoch as a friend and business visionary for over 13 years, and can’t think of a better partner for Reveille as she continues to grow within the Shine group. Elisabeth and her companies are the perfect global partner for Reveille." The pre-eminent US independent production company in both scripted and reality programming, Reveille was originally founded by Ben Silverman in 2003. The LA-based firm's scripted hits such as 'Ugly Betty', 'The Office' and 'The Tudors' complement a non-scripted catalogue that also includes worldwide hits 'The Biggest Loser,' 'Date My Mom,' 'Nashville Star' and 'American Gladiators’. Founded by Elisabeth Murdoch in 2001, the Shine Group is now the fourth largest producer in the UK 1. It consists of Shine, one of the UK's leading independent multi-genre production companies, responsible for such programming as the Emmy-award-winning 'Sugar Rush', 'Masterchef Goes Large', 'The Story of Light Entertainment' and the 'Greatest Britons' awards; leading drama producers Kudos, makers of 'Spooks', 'Tsunami', 'Hustle' and 'Life on Mars'; entertainment specialist Princess Productions, whose extensive slate includes 'The Friday Night Project' and 'The Wright Stuff'; and leading factual programme makers Firefly, whose distinctive programmes have included 'Anatomy for Beginners' and 'Kill It, Cook It, Eat It.' Jefferies acted as corporate finance advisor to Shine, with Deloitte providing due diligence and accounting services and advice. Legal representation and due diligence was undertaken by O'Melveny & Myers and supervised by Olswangs. Further information Patrick Keegan / Cathy Dunkley - Freud Communications (London) 020 3003 6393 / 020 3003 6355 patrick@freud.com / cathy@freud.com 1 Broadcast Magazine – Independent Production Survey 2007 About Reveille Founded in March 2002 by Ben Silverman (now Co-Chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios), Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Reveille produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the award-winning shows "The Office" (NBC), which has received three Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, one Golden Globe Award and a Peabody Award; "Ugly Betty" (ABC), winner of three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as a Peabody Award, an NAACP Image Award and a GLAAD Media Award; and "The Tudors" (Showtime), winner of two Emmy Awards. Reveille also produces "American Gladiators" (NBC) and the upcoming "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" (NBC), "The N's Student Body" (The N) and "Eyes on Target" (The History Channel). In addition, the company produces "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Nashville Star" (NBC); "Identity" (NBC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille distributes its growing library of programming, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company also creates, acquires and develops a broad slate of diverse films through its feature film division, Reveille Motion Pictures. Reveille's offices are located in Los Angeles.

Sara Brailsford appointed Head of Features for Shine

Shine has promoted features editor Sara Brailsford to take over as head of features from John Silver, who is leaving at the end of the year to set up his own indie. Brailsford will assume responsibility for shows such as BBC1's Celebrity Masterchef, BBC2's Classical Star and Sky One's Project Catwalk. She joined Shine two years ago from the BBC, where she was a development executive, and has developed and commissioned high-profile returning formats. Her executive producer credits include BBC2's Paradise or Bust, Build a New Life for Five, ITV's Don't Move, Improve and Biggest Loser for Living. Brailsford takes over the role this month, reporting to Shine chair and chief exec Elisabeth Murdoch. "Sara has overseen a slate of popular, returnable contrasting formats for both terrestrial and multichannel," Murdoch said. "She has proven she is the ideal person to lead the features department and I look forward to it flourishing under her." Announcing his departure in September, Silver said his as-yet-unnamed indie would focus on factual ent and features. It aims to be up and running by January.

Shine has launched a US production base

Shine has launched a US production base and has hired a former Warner Brothers network executive to head up the scripted side of the business. Carolyn Bernstein has been appointed executive vice-president of scripted programming with a remit to develop US versions of Shine's catalogue of dramas, which includes Hustle and Spooks following Shine's acquistion of Kudos in December 2006. Kudos' Life on Mars is already being developed into a pilot by ABC. Bernstein previously served as both head of drama and alternative programming at the WB, now the CW. Shine USA will be based in LA and will initially concentrate on exporting UK formats.

Steven D Wright voted in top 25 on the London entertainment scene.

Variety Magazine (15-21 October 2007) has profiled 25 people - in film, television, theater and online - who are driving the London entertainment scene. Shine's very own Creative Director of Entertainment, Steven D Wright was among them. Read the article below: "In Blighty, self proclaimed 'TV legend' Wright is almost as well known for his irreverent commentaries on televisions sleazy underbelly as he he is for his day job - running the entertainment division at Elisabeth Murdoch's ambitious U.K indie Shine. This larger-than-life hulk of a man oversees a department that specializes in populist, archive based fare like recent well regarded 'The Story of Light entertainment' which aired on BBC2. Having launched his TV career on Channel 4's outrageous youth show 'The Word' - the provocative '90s program that infuriated regulators - Wright's unerring sense of zeitgeist has continued via fare such as 'Sin Cities' and '100 Greatest Funny Moments'.

Classical Star starts on BBC2

BBC2 has launched Classical Star, an all new classical music competition. The first transmission was last night, Tuesday 16 October, and it will continue for 5 weeks. The winner of the competition leaves with a recording contract including a bursary with a top classical music label. For more information view the BBC website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/classicalstar

Award for Masterchef Series 3

MasterChef Series 3 has won a TV Guild of Cameramen Award For Excellence for the Downing Street and Savoy shows. Huge congratulations to the extraordinary talents of Rob Mansfield, James Clarke, Craig Herd and all the camera crew!

US Pilot for 'Sex with Mom & Dad'

MTV US have picked up Shine's format 'Sex with Mom and Dad'. Casting and pre-production of a pilot epiosde is now underway from MTV's East Coast base.

Sex With Mum & Dad recommissioned

Shine North are now in production with a second series of SEX WITH MUM AND DAD for BBC THREE. The second series of 6x1hrs is being Series Produced by Mark Jones and Executive Produced by Andrew Nicholson.

More Sex......With Mum and Dad!

BBC Three has commissioned a second series of Shine's 'Sex...With Mum and Dad'. Shine North have begun pre-production, with six one hour eps for transmission in late winter

Another new commission for Shine North

The TV personality test where you see how your attitudes measure up to the great and the good.... WHAT ARE YOU LIKE? is the studio, celebrity panel gameshow, which gives you the inside track on what you're really like, across a vast swathe of subjects you really want to know about. It's a fast moving, light entertainment take on those internet personality tests that none of us can resist! Congratulations again goes to all in the Shine North team.

Masterchef The Final - Record Ratings

Huge congratulations to the Masterchef team on the most successful Masterchef Goes Large series so far. Last nights final saw a peak of 5.7million and a share of 23.9%. These are truly fantastic figures so well done to everyone who worked on the show.

Story of Light Entertainment nominated for Focal Award

Story of Light Entertainment has been shortlisted to one of three for Best Use of Footage in an Entertainment Programme. The awards will take places at the Savoy Hotel on 14th May.

Shine Nominated for 3 Broadcast Awards

Great news Shine has been nominated for 3 Broadcast awards:- Best Independent Production Company Best Popular Factual Programme - Story of Light Entertainment Best Multi Channel programme - Project Catwalk Well done to everyone who worked on the Story of LE and Project Catwalk. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 24th January 2007.

Congratulations to Sugar Rush

Sugar Rush won the category for Children & Young People last night at The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The winners were announced at the 34th International Emmy® Awards at a star-studded Gala event held at the New York Hilton, hosted by award-winning comedian and talk-show host Graham Norton.