DRG, a global content distributor, recently announced that it is expanding its broad
catalogue of factual entertainment programming with the acquisition of two new
shows, which will both be launched at MIPCOM – taking place from 5 to 8 October
2015 in Cannes, France.
The distributor has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights outside the UK and
Ireland to the format and finished programme for hit reality house-hunting series,
Honey I Bought The House, and the exclusive worldwide rights outside
of the UK for the finished programme of factual entertainment series
Supersized.
Originally commissioned by UKTV for entertainment channel, Watch, and produced
by Objective Productions and Crook Productions, Honey I Bought The
House will be one of the key formats that DRG brings to market at this
year’s MIPCOM.
The Honey I Bought The House series pilot aired in the UK last
December on UK-based multi-channel broadcaster, UKTV. The reality show aims to
ease the expense of getting that first step on the property ladder by offering
couples a £15 000 deposit to secure their first home, but there’s a twist! The life
changing decision, which normally needs to factor both people’s taste and
expectations, is handled entirely by only one member of the couple. In just three
weeks they must house-hunt alone, without any contact with their loved one, to find
a property that meets their partner’s requirements. And that’s not all, they must
have an offer accepted on a property and then get their partner’s approval before
the money’s in the bag, putting their relationship – and finances – in the balance.
Supersized is also a key programme that DRG is bringing to MIPCOM.
Currently airing on Channel 5 and produced by ITN Productions, the series of one
hour documentaries takes a look at why Britain is getting fatter. With two thirds of
the population now overweight or obese, and costing the country billions in health
care and benefits, it’s changing everything about Britain. The series features a
number of characters with big waistlines and big opinions, exploring all the reasons
why Great Britain is becoming “Weight Britain’.
Noel Hedges, executive vice president of content (EVP), DRG, says: “The factual
entertainment genre is a key genre for DRG, and we are excited to be taking these
two titles to MIPCOM. Honey I Bought The House is a unique take on
the perennially popular property show genre, whilst Supersized takes
a serious look at the nation’s growing obesity problem in an entertaining way. I am
sure that viewers around the world will enjoy the interesting mix of drama and
heart-warming moments, alongside the social commentary these two shows
provide.’
Honey I Bought The House and Supersized join DRG’s
broad catalogue of hit factual entertainment programming which includes
Don’t Tell The Bride (Renegade Pictures), Whose Holiday Is It
Anyway? (RTE One), Choccywoccydoodah (TwoFour) and
The Real Hustle (Objective Productions).
DRG works with a wide range of clients, from independent producers to
international TV networks, as well as individual talent, media agencies and global
brands. The wide range of programming in DRG’s extensive portfolio spans almost
every genre and includes hits such as Danny Boyle’s Babylon, the
award-winning Shameless, cult comedy Plebs, popular
comedy drama Doc Martin, the critically-acclaimed Top
Boy, and evergreen gameshow Catchphrase amongst many
others.
Following investment in 2014, DRG is now part of the Nice Entertainment Group, the
holding company for the production and distribution arm of Modern Times Group
(MTG).
