11 Jun 2009 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs, 11 June 2009
DCD Media plc
("DCD" or the "Company)
DCD Commissioned to Produce Richard Hammond's Blast Lab - Season Two
DCD Media, the independent TV production and distribution group, is delighted to announce that CBBC has commissioned a second season of Richard Hammond's Blast Lab following the huge ratings success of season one.
DCD-owned September Films will produce 26x30' episodes of the popular science-based game show, bringing the format to a total of 52 episodes, providing DCD's international distributor, DCD Rights, with a valuable package for international distribution. DCD's in-house publisher, DCD Publishing, will handle book publishing, merchandising and licensing of ancillary rights. September Films will also produce a special spin-off series (20x5') featuring cuts-downs of the popular location based stunts from the show.
A co-production between September Films and Richard Hammond's Hamster's Wheel Productions, the series has performed phenomenally well for the BBC, establishing itself as the corporation's No 1 children's factual entertainment show, peaking with a 23.3% audience share with 6-12-year-old viewers. Richard Hammond is a high profile celebrity in the UK and is well-known internationally thanks to the popular BBC2 show Top Gear, which has been watched by over 350 million viewers worldwide.
David Green, Chief Creative Officer and Acting CEO of DCD said:
"This re-commission is excellent news. Aside from its commission financial value a property of this nature, with 52 episodes, and every possibility of more, has extensive international distribution, merchandising and publishing appeal. The benefits of our vertically integrated model, enabling us to handle all these rights, should really show."
Richard Hammond, commented:
"It's been a dream come true: We set out to make a programme bringing science to life for children and it has worked. I think Blast Lab has the potential to be a truly global hit."
Enquiries:
David Green
Chief Creative Officer and Acting CEO DCD Media plc
Tel. 020 7297 8000
Ben Simons
M: Communications
Tel. 020 7153 1540
Tom Price or Jeremy Ellis
Evolution Securities
Tel. 020 7071 4300
Notes to Editors:
About DCD Media plc
DCD Media plc is one of the UK's 'super-indies', a large group of production and distribution companies specialising in factual, entertainment, drama, music and arts programming for TV, DVD and new media markets. DCD Media comprises a number of high profile content producers - Box TV, a drama specialist; music and staged event specialist Done and Dusted; factual and lifestyle producer Prospect Pictures; primetime factual entertainment, reality, formats and documentaries producer September Films; documentary specialist West Park Pictures, recently established Scottish production company, Matchlight, a joint venture with some of Scotland's leading programme makers and West Park West, a new Dublin-based producer and developer of documentaries and factual programming.
The group also comprises international distributor DCD Rights, the international video download site and DVD label Digital Classics, and publishing division DCD Publishing. For further details see www.dcdmedia.co.uk