New for ITV1 Daytime: Britain’s Best Bakery

A national search for Britain's best bakery will be airing daily on ITV1 towards the end of 2012. More than a food competition this series is a celebration of bakeries around the UK, the delicious goods they produce, their regional specialities and their centuries old baking heritage. Expert judges Mich Turner MBE (TV chef, author and owner of Little Venice Cake Company) and Peter Sidwell (TV chef, cookery writer and restaurateur) will be sampling the delicacies of the country’s favourite independent, family run and community bakeries, tasting and critiquing their way through breads, cakes, pastries and pies. The shortlisted bakeries compete in a series of baking challenges that put their skills to the test from organic artisan sour dough breads to the more obscure Bedfordshire clanger and the Lancashire courting cake, and include favourite bakes whose origins lie beyond the UK, such as baklava and bagels. Stripped across four weeks, the daily episodes of Britain’s Best Bakery will also reveal the heart-warming stories of the bakeries and the people who lovingly create and bake there. Britain’s Best Bakery is a Shine Production for ITV1. ITV's Director of Factual and Daytime Alison Sharman and ITV’s Controller of Popular Factual, Jo Clinton Davis commissioned the series. The Executive Producers for Shine are; Kelly Webb-Lamb, Catherine Welton and Lorna-Dawn Creanor. Added On Monday, 2 July 2012

Channel 4 crowns Jewish Mum of the Year

Channel 4 has joined forces with The Jewish News for a nationwide search to find the ultimate Jewish mother for brand new series Jewish Mum of the Year, made by Shine TV. The Jewish community make up just 0.4% of the British population and can truly be described as a 'minority' community. Yet the number of successful Jewish people in the UK is remarkable. Some of the country's biggest names in politics, business, banking and entertainment would describe themselves as members of the UK's Jewish community - Lord Sugar, Philip Green, and the Milliband brothers are examples from business and public life. The British Rich List currently has three Jewish entrepreneurs in its top ten. They have very different personalities, very diverse opinions and have had radically different upbringings but have one thing in common - a great Jewish mother. Across the years, the Jewish mother has come to epitomise what it means to be a mum. Renowned for being brilliant home-makers, incredible cooks and fiercely protective of their children - kids mean everything to Jewish mums. Excessive, overprotective, neurotically anxious and ever present – yet also an emblem of unstinting love and devotion. This ambitious competitive series follows The Jewish News as it scours every corner of the UK and the Jewish communities of Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Essex and London to find the Jewish Mum of the Year. The competition will seek out the traditional, the overbearing, the cheek-pinching and the charming. The winner is out there somewhere in the land of the Jewish Princess and the over-pampered Bar Mitzvah boys, and no strudel will be left unturned in his quest to find the perfect Jewish mum. It's a television show with heart of gold. This diverse mix of competitive mums will fight it out through a series of gruelling tasks to win the crown, including challenges to test their cooking skills, matchmaking, home-making abilities, event organising and, of course, how well they know their kids. The 4x60 series was commissioned by Channel 4's Head of Factual Entertainment Liam Humphreys. It will be executive produced by Kelly Webb-Lamb and Chloe Solomon. Lorraine Charker-Phillips will be series producer and the programme is set to air on Channel 4 later this year. Liam Humphreys said: "This entertaining series will be a warm-hearted celebration of the cultural institution that is the Jewish mother. We hope the Jewish News' search for the greatest Jewish Mum in Britain will provide new insights for all of us as we enter the wonderful world of bar mitzvahs, match making and Friday night dinners, discovering the secrets behind one of the most successful and engaging communities in Britain." Added On Monday, 2 July 2012

Ashley Banjo's Secret Street Crew returns to Sky 1 HD

Today Sky 1 HD announced a second series of Ashley Banjo's Secret Street Crew, made by Shine TV. The series will return in 2013. Following on from a successful first series, the second will give Sky customers the opportunity to see even more groups of unlikely dancers across the UK attempt to find their dancing feet. The large-scale factual entertainment show promises to be impressive, glossy and even more nerve-wracking. Can Ashley once again take Britain’s unlikeliest of dancers and secretly train them to a standard that will impress not only their friends and family but a venue full of strangers too? Currently in the early stages of production, the new series is set for transmission in early 2013 and is being co-Executive Produced by Creative Director, Kelly Webb-Lamb and Catherine Welton for Shine TV, and Sadia Butt is the Commissioning Editor for Sky. Sadia Butt, Commissioning Editor at Sky: "The series was a smash hit for Sky 1 HD with Ashley proving he is not only a master of the dance floor but an incredible mentor and teacher. The gauntlet has been thrown down once again. I absolutely love this series and cannot wait to see more!" Kelly Webb-Lamb, Creative Director at Shine TV said: "It's a simple but powerful formula that makes the audience laugh, cry and want to dance! Ashley is a brilliant new talent in the factual entertainment genre, and I am looking forward to working with him to turn yet another set of Britain's most unlikely dancers into fantastic and proud street crews.'' Added On Monday, 2 July 2012

MasterChef: The Professionals wins BAFTA

MasterChef: The Professionals wins Best Features Show at last nights BAFTA awards against nominees: The Choir: Unsung Town, Hestons Feasts & James Mays Toy Stories Added On Monday, June 7, 2010

MasterChef Wins Good Housekeeping Award

MASTERCHEF CROWNED FAVOURITE COOKERY PROGRAMME IN GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AWARDS MasterChef won the 'Favourite Cookery Programme' award as voted by Good Housekeeping readers at the Good Housekeeping Food Awards 2010, it was announced today (THURS). MasterChef 2010 winner, Dhruv Baker presented John Torode with the award which he received behalf of the programme. The Good Housekeeping Food Awards were held at Forbes House on Wednesday evening, hosted by Jane Asher. Previous winners Thomasina Miers and Matt Dawson were also at the event to toast MasterChefs success. For more information please contact Louise Plank on 020 8995 3936 or lou@plankpr.com Added On Thursday, May 27, 2010

MasterChef Live wins top award

Friday night saw The Exhibition News Awards take place at the Lancaster Hotel with MasterChef live scooping 'Best Launch Show' MasterChef Live captured the imagination of the food loving nation by bringing to life the hugely popular TV programme to life -. Key elements of the show were MasterChefs most iconic challenge the Invention Test which saw contestants cook in front of a live audience to a win the chance of being judged by John Torode and Greg Wallace. MasterChef vs MasterChef cook offs were held between previous winners of the programme in front of a live audience to see who cooked the best dish. <b>Judges John Torode</b>, <b>Gregg Wallace</b>, <b>Michel Roux</b> and <b>Monica Galletti</b> all played a large role in the success and popularity of the launch, hosting live demonstrations and giving visitors the chance to see their favourite judges! Plus Masterclasses and hot tip pods were set up around the show where visitors could learn skills from programme winners including fish filleting, joint carving and pasta making. A great night was had by all and a very deserving win for MasterChef Live 2009! Added On Monday, May 10, 2010

UK MasterChef final peaks at 8 million

Consolidated figures have revealed that the MasterChef final peaked at almost 8 million viewers who tuned in to see Dhruv Baker crowned the 2010 MasterChef Champion. The week also saw the announcement that MasterChef was the most recorded programme in the country with almost 2/3rd of the population watching it. The MasterChef cook book also become the best selling non-fiction hard back in the country.

US version of Got to Dance announced

CBS is getting its own dance show. The network is partnering with Reveille to bring U.K. hit "Got to Dance" to the States. The competition series is billed as the first all-ages all-genres dance series. A wide variety of acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote during the semifinals and finals. CBS has greenlit the project for an unspecified number of episodes. This marks the third major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre. Sources say CBS alternative topper Jennifer Bresnan liked the relatability of expanding the genre beyond professionals to include amateurs with undiscovered talent and high aspirations. Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook will executive produce the Shine Group format created by Princess Productions and Shine TV. The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium network series. The network has yet to select "Got to Dance" judges, but CBS has expressed some interest in a certain choreographer-turned-reality TV star for the gig -- Paula Abdul. The former "American Idol" judge continues to be courted for a range of TV projects, recently ruling out a return to TV on ABC's "Star Search" reboot. Added On Thursday, March 25, 2010

Shine TV to get the UK singing and dancing

Five has commissioned Shine TV to make a major, new, live entertainment event which will discover Britains greatest musical performance groups. Dont Stop Believing, produced by Shine TV and GroupM Entertainment, will scour Britain for existing and first time musical groups created by friends, colleagues, school mates or families performing some of the greatest songs ever in spectacular never-heard-before arrangements. Richard Woolfe, Fives Channel Controller, said: Theres an explosion of musical performance groups being formed in the UK and Dont Stop Believing will tap into that exciting groundswell. This will be the first series to combine both singing and dancing to create an amazing entertainment spectacle which will completely capture the viewers imagination. The groups will be choreographed, coached and judged by industry experts with five live elimination shows culminating in a thrilling live final. Alongside the main competition, the public will also be invited to join a specially created Dont Stop Believing super group which will represent the UK on the thriving international Glee Club circuit in the USA. These auditions will be held whilst the series on air, with new members swelling the ranks every week. Dont Stop Believing is a Shine TV/GroupM Entertainment co-production for Five. The co-production between Shine and GroupM was initiated and negotiated by Jamie Munro, Joint Managing Director of Shine TV and Richard Foster, Managing Director of GroupM Entertainment. Executive Producers will be Shine TVs Karen Smith, who was launch producer of Strictly Come Dancing, and Richard Woolfe and Donna Taberer for Five. Tony Moulsdale will be producing for GroupM Entertainment. Musical performance groups who want to take part in the series should go www.five.tv/dontstop for entry details. Added On Thursday, March 18, 2010

Shine Group No1 UK Indie

Shine rises to top of indie pile BROADCAST 18 MARCH 2010, Liz Murdochs Shine Group has become the biggest super-indie in the UK, vaulting over previous market leader All3Media thanks to dynamic growth overseas. The company, founded by Murdoch in 2001, grew its turnover by 23% last year, from 216m to 265m, with more than half (60%) of that revenue coming from outside the UK. The growth has been driven by the 60m acquisition of Nordic production group Metronome Film and Television, and success with Shine Australia, which this week launched a 50:50 joint venture with John De Mols Talpa Media to exploit Talpa formats in Australia and New Zealand. The international roll-out of Shine brands such as Merlin and MasterChef has also played a big role. The latter secured a bigger audience share in Australia than any non-sports show in TV history and is now set to be remade in the US and France. The group has already launched start-up businesses in Germany and France, and Murdoch outlined plans to move into Latin America, India and South East Asia as the next challenge. Im not going to go into a market unless I know we have the right person, but we have a game plan, she said. Thailand, for example, is a sophisticated market, as is Indonesia. Im not saying they are next weeks priority, but there are massive booming areas of quite sophisticated television that were not in. Murdoch hailed the number one ranking as a milestone rather than her ultimate goal, and sources close to the company said it hopes to replicate the 10 or 15 times growth it has achieved over the past three years in the same period going forward. But the picture was less healthy in the UK, where the likes of Kudos Film & Television, Princess Productions and Dragonfly all suffered a significant drop in revenue. Attack on in-house Murdoch, in an exclusive interview with Broadcast, said she wanted Shine Group to be the best producer it can be, rather than just the biggest. She also slammed broadcasters in-house production units, which she claimed lower standards and inflate production costs. They [broadcasters worldwide] should sell off in-house production. If you look at commercial genres, in-house breeds mediocrity, she said. [With the BBC and ITV] there is a diaspora into the indie sector because that is where the excitement is and where you hone your sharpest skills. To what point do you hold onto in-house in some of those genres where theyre not needed? Murdoch claimed the perspective was already shared by broadcasters in some territories. Broadcasters are spinning them off in Australia because they realise this - and its not for lack of trying. In-house production infl ates costs because they have never been asked or forced to be more nimble and flexible. Murdoch acknowledged there was a need for BBC in-house production in less commercial genres such as specialist factual, but said the in-house guarantee of 50% of network hours from BBC in-house producers doesnt make sense in other genres. Added On Thursday, March 18, 2010

Shine exhumes corpses for BBC2

BBC2 has ordered a history series from Shine Television, billed as “Time Team for dead bodies”. Each hour-long episode of History Cold Case will focus on an exhumed corpse from a different era of British history and show what they would have looked like and the sort of life they led. It will initially launch as a 4 x 60-minute series in May 2010 but is seen as a potential returning format. All the bodies will come from Britain and will be “ordinary people” - although the BBC is also eyeing a celebrity spin off, which would feature the corpses of major historical figures such as Oliver Cromwell. It is understood that Shine beat the BBC’s in-house production team and Lion Television for access to the forensic team at the heart of the series. Shine head of specialist factual Natalie Humphreys co-created History Cold Case with producer Tania Lindon, series producer Mary Downes and Tony Jordan’s Red Planet Pictures. Humphreys said: “The stories include a bizarre mummy, found in someone’s cellar. The trail will take us all over the UK, unravelling some personal stories of our forebears from Roman times through to the early 1900s.” Cassian Harrison, executive producer for the BBC, added: “History Cold Case will offer quite literally a new window on history.” BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow ordered the series with arts commissioner Mark Bell, who has since handed responsibility to specialist factual commissioner Martin Davidson. Added On Friday, September 25, 2009

MasterChef Live is Launched

Shine and BBC Worldwide/Haymarket have signed a deal to create an exciting set of Live Events around the Masterchef brand. The BBC Good Food Live show in London is being relaunched and rebranded as Masterchef Live: A BBC Good Food Production and will take place 13th - 15th November at Olympia in London. Please click here for further details. We will also have the Masterchef Experience at BBC Good Food Live shows in Birmingham (June and November) and Glasgow (October) � a show within a show, bringing the best of the Masterchef Live to those events. These are the first of many new ways the Masterchef brand will be expanded over the coming 2 years, in partnership with BBC WorldWide. Stay tuned for developments! Added On Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Shine North secures our first ever Children's commission

This Kid Could Change the World is a 9 x 30 factual series where children from across the country will have their passionate and innovative ideas for change put to the test. A series of heats will gather the best ideas from across the country and the lucky hopefuls will arrive at the HQ to put their ideas into action. Through a series of set tasks two expert innovators and a mysterious benefactor The Big Cheese will determine which ideas have the potential to succeed and which will fail out in the real world. For the series finale an invited studio audience will get to decide which idea gets set in motion by The Big Cheese. Produced by Shine North's Andrew Nicholson, and Bridget Banton for the BBC, "This Kid Could Change the World" will launch on CBBC in 2010. Added On Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Just Dance commissioned by Sky1

JUST DANCE is a big live dance competition for broadcast on Sky1 HD in early 2010. JUST DANCE will kick off with a series of nationwide auditions for dancers of all styles, combinations and ages. Whether you ballroom, break, bhangra or ballet; dance tap, morris or sword, Irish, Scottish or English country dancing we want to see you! The auditions will kick off with professionally choreographed, mass participation "Dancing in the Street" routines in major cities across the UK. The most entertaining dancers will be invited into our Dance Dome to audition for the judges who'll then select the very best to compete in live Semi Finals. Sky1 viewers vote for our finalists and untimately chose the Series Champion. JUST DANCE is a co-production between Shine TV and Princess Productions Added On Thursday, July 30, 2009

Shine shows nominated for two BAFTA's

Shine shows have been nominated for two awards as this years TV BAFTA's to be held in London on Sunday 26th April. John and Gregg are set to take on Clarkson and Sugar as Celebrity Masterchef faces competition from Top Gear, The Apprentice and The Choir: Boys Can't Sing in the Features category. And in Interactivity, the Merlin website is up against Bryony Makes A Zombie Movie; Embarrassing Bodies Online and Olympics 2008. Added On Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Two Shine shows nominated for Focal International Award

It has just been announced that two Shine archive shows "Comedy Songs: The Pop Years" and "Most Annoying Couples 2008" have been nominated for Best Use of Footage in Arts, Music or Drama Production in the Focal International Awards to be held in London on 5th May. Over 180 submissions from 14 countries were entered so it's a great achievement to be shortlisted. Added On Wednesday, March 11, 2009

RTS Awards

Masterchef: The Professionals has been shortlisted in the Best Programme in Daytime and Early Peak category at the upcoming RTS Awards, to be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on March 17th. Shine North's Banged Up is also nominated in the Best Constructed Documentary category.

Shine's Merlin sold to China

FME conjures up China sale for Merlin Merlin, the BBC's updated take on the classic tale of wizards and magic, has found another major buyer, as FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) sells the series into China. State-run CCTV has picked up series one as part of a package that also includes the German action drama 112 (110x30') and Australian scripted crime drama series The Strip (13x60'). Ganesh Rajaram, FME's VP of Asian sales, said the deal was "a major development for both FME and CCTV," adding: "China is a key territory for FME and this helps us build on our successes in the region." Regional distributor Hong Kong Century Film TV Network brokered the deal for FME, which holds the licensing, home entertainment (excluding UK) and distribution rights to Merlin, a Shine production. C21 Media: 24 Feb 2009

Shine North nominated for an RTS Award

Congratulations to Shine North and the "Banged Up" team. They have been nominated for Best Constructed Documentary at the upcoming RTS Awards, to be held in London on 17th March.

Shine honoured at the Broadcast Awards

Shine was nominated in two categories at last night's Broadcast Awards, for Best Factual programme with Masterchef and for Indie of the Year. It was an honour to be nominated and we faced some of the toughest competition of the night. We're thrilled to announce we were Highly Commended in the Indie of the Year category. It's a commendation they only hand out for the most fiercely fought awards, so we're very proud.

Battle of the Brains

Battle of the Brains returns to BBC Daytime with the aim of finding Britain's brightest brains, through a series of head to head battles designed to test the most hardened quiz fans. The intelligent quiz show is set to return to BBC Two early 2009, with new host Nicky Campbell at the helm. In a succession of rounds, two teams of competitive quizzers will face questions that severely test their general knowledge across 5 different types of battle - speed, memory, wisdom, nerve and identity. Battle of the Brains will give players the opportunity to have every inch of their brain power put to the test with non-stop rounds of intelligent quizzing on categories such as Art, Great Britain, Literature, Politics, The Classical World and Transport and Technology, amongst others. Not only will each team require outstanding General Knowledge, but each team member must also have their own specialist subject area which will be put to the test as they attempt to eliminate the opposition from the competition and win the right to play for £1,000. The all important Captain's Question will be faced by the winning team at the end of the show to determine whether or not they return to fight again as reigning champions. The cream of competitive quizzing will stop at nothing to win the Battle of the Brains. Host Nicky Campbell states: ''It's a great format and a great quiz. The people who enter it are quite extraordinary. What they know is amazing. All I know is that I have to host it and I can't wait.'' Executive Producer, Andrew Nicholson added: ''Battle of the Brains was a huge success and we're absolutely delighted to have Nicky Campbell on board for the second series. The battle lines have been drawn and only the smartest will survive.'' The programme was ordered by Controller of BBC Daytime Liam Keelan and BBC Daytime Commissioning Editor Sumi Connock.

What Are You Like? - celebrity panel show

Transmits on Monday 25 August at 1200 every weekday until Friday 19 September. Hosted by Fiona Bruce with Aled Jones and Simon O'Brien as Team Captains, the show is the "TV personality test" where you can see how your attitudes measure up to the great and the good... WHAT ARE YOU LIKE? is the celebrity panel gameshow, which gives you the inside track on what you're really like, across a vast swathe of the 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!

Je Suis Un Rock Star - Shine Production for Channel 4

T4's new show, Je Suis Un Rock Star, started on Saturday 9th August as part of Channel 4's New Talent Month, promises viewers exclusive insight to life as a 'fixer' with a big-name band. Je Suis Un Rock Star will see 12 youngsters, shortlisted from hundreds, battle it out to compete for the ultimate work experience placement in the music industry. The three successful candidates will face the biggest challenge of their lives - joining successful indie band, The Wombats on a European tour. Their job as fixers will be to make sure everything runs smoothly in one country each as the band travels to Germany, Spain and France. Each episode, their ambition, initiative and local lingo is tested to the max as they fulfil tasks set by The Wombats. The stakes are high for all three hopefuls as this could be their first step into a successful career in the music business. T4 Commissioning Editor Sangeeta Bhaskar said: "Everything you need to know about the life of a 'fixer' is all here in this T4 series - it's not just great entertainment but a work experience taster in miniature." Bizarre 'rider' requests, travel arrangements, hotel bookings, liaising with the local media and having to use the local language are all-in-a-day's work for the three candidates. Steven D. Wright, Executive Producer of Shine, added: "On this programme our fixers get to experience everything about rock 'n' roll, from the glamorous to the grotty. But if they keep smiling and keep their heads down they get the perfect entrée into the music industry." Virtually every performer has some kind of request, and usually the more famous they are, the more outlandish their demands. Jennifer Lopez is said to ask that her coffee is stirred anti-clockwise, Mariah Carey supposedly asks her entourage to ensure toilet paper is in her preferred shade of pink - and even Christina Aguilera is said to demand a large sofa and special carpets to be backstage - so what will The Wombats request? The Wombats are a three-piece Anglo-Norwegian band from Liverpool who've had a top selling album and have been a fixture at festivals across Europe this summer. The band is known for their lively stage presence and their stuffed wombat mascot cherub. For more information go to www.channel4.com/entertainment/t4/JeSuisUnRockStar

Shine Group's Kudos Pictures and New Regency Create New Joint Venture

23rd July LONDON: Independent production group Shine and leading US producer and distributor New Regency today announced the formation of Shine Pictures, a new company set to develop and produce broad-based commercial films for the global marketplace. The new company will draw from a substantial development fund to capitalize on the Shine Group's reputation for working closely with the UK talent pool to deliver innovative and creative material in combination with the filmmaking and marketing expertise of Regency and the worldwide distribution network of 20th Century Fox. The new co-owned, joint venture will be spearheaded by Shine Group CEO and Chairman Elisabeth Murdoch and New Regency's co-chairmen, Bob Harper and Hutch Parker. Kudos Pictures (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shine Group), headed by Paul Webster and Stephen Garrett, will run the venture for Shine. Shine Pictures will continue to build on the success of Kudos Pictures (Eastern Promises) and capitalize on its access to talent in Europe and beyond. Shine CEO and Chairman Elisabeth Murdoch said: "We are excited by this new venture and the potential it brings the Shine Group. This deal will give Kudos the opportunity to play on a bigger stage, aided by the complementary skills, assets and insights of our partners at New Regency." Harper, Chairman of New Regency said: "Our new partners Shine Group have a proven track record in attracting and developing talent on a global scale." Parker, Chairman of New Regency, said: "This new venture creates a powerful new bridge to the global market place and reflects the truly international nature of our business." Stephen Garrett, Kudos' Joint Managing Director, and Webster added: "This venture is about talent. It's about collaborating with the best writers and directors from around the world to maximize their creative and commercial potential. We've been looking for the right strategic partners for some time. This new relationship with New Regency is thrilling in many ways, but in particular it will allow us to fulfil our creative ambitions globally." Founded by Elisabeth Murdoch in 2001, the Shine Group boasts the only collection of production companies to span both British and American marketplaces. In addition to acclaimed drama producers Kudos, it encompasses pre-eminent US television production company Reveille, leading independent multi-genre production company, Shine and entertainment specialist Princess Productions. The group's distinctive library also includes scripted hit shows such as International Emmy Award Winners Sugar Rush and Life on Mars as well as Reveille successes Ugly Betty, The Office and The Tudors. About Kudos Pictures Kudos Pictures is the film division of Kudos Film and TV Ltd which is the UK's premier independent drama producer jointly run by Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone. KFTV is part of the Shine Group. Upcoming releases include Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day starring Frances McDormand and Amy Adams for Focus Features. Productions include a feature length wildlife documentary "The Crimson Wing" filmed in Northern Tanzania readying for a 2008-2009 worldwide release through Walt Disney Pictures. Next is If the Spirit Moves You written by Abi Morgan and to be directed by Rowan Woods. Kudos Pictures' Paul Webster was Oscar nominated and won both a BAFTA and the Golden Globe in 2008 for Best Film for Atonement, which he produced with Working Title Films' Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Webster also recently produced Kudos Pictures 2008 Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated Eastern Promises, starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts. Ed Clarke recently joined Kudos Pictures as head of development. About New Regency New Regency is engaged in the production and distribution of motion pictures and television through strategic alliances with media and entertainment companies. New Regency was founded in 1991 by Arnon Milchan, one of the most prolific and successful independent film producers of the past 30 years. Since its inception, the company has developed into an entertainment powerhouse, producing such high-profile films as JFK, Under Siege, Free Willy, A Time To Kill, Tin Cup, Devil's Advocate, Heat, L.A. Confidential, City of Angels, Entrapment, Fight Club, Big Momma's House, Don't Say a Word, Unfaithful, Man On Fire, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jumper, What Happens In Vegas and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Further information: Patrick Keegan - Freud Communications (London) 020 3003 6393 Patrick@freud.com Jonathan Bing - Freud Communications (LA) 323 866 6060 jonathan.bing@freud.com Chris Petrikin - New Regency / 20th Century Fox 310.369.4781 chris.petrikin@fox.com

Battle of the Brains

Shine North's exciting new quiz show Battle of The Brains transmits for the first time on Monday 28th July at 1800 on BBC Two. Hosted by Paddy O'Connell, two teams featuring some of the brightest brains in Britain go head to head in a game of nerve strategy and skill. It's not what they know, but who they know in Battle of the Brains. It is stripped across the week for four weeks until Friday 22nd August 2008.

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.