It’s not often that something genuinely original comes to the screen. This is, though.
– Sam Wollaston, The Guardian
Just when you think reality television has nothing left to offer, along comes Hunted to make you think again. – Gerard O’Donovan, The Daily Telegraph
I’m pretty sure Hunted is one of the most innovative and original factual TV concepts in a very long time, and am looking forward to more – Boyd Hilton, heat
Channel 4 today confirmed at its Upfronts 2016 event for the advertising industry that ground-breaking real-life thriller Hunted will return next year. However, for series two it’s not just personal pride on the line. Now there is also £100,000 up for grabs.
The series, produced by Shine TV, will see ordinary Brits leave their life behind and attempt to outwit, outsmart and outrun some of the world’s best hunters for up to 28 days. With former police, intelligence and army personnel on their tail they will know that one false move could lead to the hunters straight to them.
If they can remain uncaptured for 28 days each fugitive will know they could win a share of £100,000 but if they are caught before the hunt ends, they will go home with nothing.
The series will dramatically explore just what it takes to go undetected in Britain – where there are more CCTV cameras per capita than any other European country. With the average person caught on CCTV up to 70 times per day and the possibility of having your phone calls and emails intercepted, the series will task ordinary people discover what it takes to completely disappear – and at what cost.
The first series of Hunted attracted an average of 2.2 million viewers per episode and a 9.3% share on Thursdays at 9pm – up +12% and +14%, respectively, compared with Channel 4’s slot average. The series attracted a young audience, drawing an impressive 20% share of Channel 4’s key demographic of 16-34 year old viewers – outperforming the channel’s slot average by 66%.
Hunted was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Formats, Dom Bird, and Head of Documentaries, Nick Mirsky. The series will be produced by Shine TV with executive producers Tim Whitwell and Matt Bennett.
Of the commission Dom Bird said “The first series of Hunted truly caught the nation’s imagination, provoking real debate around the lengths we might go to in order to avoid capture in 21st century Britain. Now, with a life changing sum of money to play for, it gets serious. I can’t wait to see both the fugitives and the hunters raise their game as they battle each other’s wits to emerge triumphant.
Shine’s Kelly Webb Lamb said “Hunted series 1 was a huge and sometimes terrifying undertaking, and we were very proud to pull it off. We’re delighted to be working with C4 again on series 2, and look forward to building on the success of series 1 in new and exciting ways’.
Tim Whitwell added “Hunted is a genuine cross genre hit – a factual thriller – and we’re looking forward to seeing the drama crank up for the next series. Having a prize takes the show to another level. Shine TV specialise in making cutting edge programmes that innovate and push creative boundaries, and we’re proud to be working with C4 again.”
Channel 4
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