Endemol Shine Group chases new Hunted deals in the UK and Netherlands
Global content creator, producer and distributor Endemol Shine Group today announce factual thriller Hunted had been ordered for new series in the UK and the Netherlands.
Created and produced by Shine TV, Hunted has been commissioned for a third series by Channel 4. The second series of Hunted, which aired in the UK last year consistently outperformed its 9pm slot average each week and for 16-34s this was by an average of +80% (up +121% for the launch episode).
Meanwhile, Simpel Media, part of Endemol Shine Netherlands have signed a deal second series deal with NPO. This follows the successful launch last year where Hunted was NPO3’s highest rated non-scripted launch of 2016 and the show ranked as the number one show in its time slot for younger viewers aged 20-34, beating the competition across all channels.
Production is currently underway in the Netherlands and the UK.
Lisa Perrin, CEO of Creative Networks at Endemol Shine Group says; “Hunted is an ambitious, genre-defining social experiment that is a proven hit internationally with younger viewers. We’re incredibly pleased to see the show return to Channel 4, as they nurtured the idea with Shine TV from the very beginning. NPO are a brilliant partner in the Netherlands and we can’t wait to once again follow the drama of life on the run with the fugitives.”
Created by Shine TV, part of Endemol Shine Group in the UK, Hunted first launched in the UK on Channel 4 in 2015 and has now sold to seven markets including the U.S, China, Russia, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands.
In the US, the show’s launch on CBS in January ranked as the highest-rated unscripted premiere on any network since 2011, with 13.3 million viewers and a 13.9% market share, going on to become the number one unscripted original on Wednesdays overall. (Endemol)
UPDATED with Channel 4 press announcement:
The 6×60 min series will see nine British citizens turn fugitive and go on the run. Following a dramatic launch and helicopter chase in Manchester, the fugitives are pursued across the UK by an elite team of 30 hunters, drawn from some of the world’s best investigators and led by former Scotland Yard detective, Chief Peter Bleksley.
The stakes are high; if the fugitives can evade capture for 25 days they could win a share of £100,000. But they’re up against a formidable force as the hunters are equipped with search dogs, drones and helicopters.
Series two of Hunted consistently outperformed its 9:00pm slot average each week and for 16-34s this was by an average of +80% (up +121% for the launch episode).
Dom Bird, Head of Formats at Channel 4 said: “We very much look forward to building on the success of Hunted in new and exciting ways for series three. In an era of unparalleled scrutiny around both privacy and security, Hunted has become a thrilling and eye-opening game of cat and mouse, pitting determined fugitives against expert hunters. It’s already clear that this year both sides will have to raise their game as they battle it out to emerge triumphant.”
Tanya Shaw, Managing Director of Shine TV added: “We are thrilled to be making another series of Hunted for Channel 4. As well as being utterly gripping, the show has really captured the imagination of audiences around the world, especially the younger demographic, as it explores surveillance society in a really engaging yet thought provoking way.”
Hunted was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Formats, Dom Bird, Head of Documentaries Nick Mirsky and Documentaries commissioning editor Madonna Benjamin. The series is produced by Shine TV with executive producers Tim Whitwell, Matt Bennett and Jonathan Smith. (C4)
HA! says
I wish this site would change the text color so it’s not a light grey on a white background. It’s DIFFICULT to actually READ.
As for the show.. I’m confused… there’s a 2007 series called “Hunted” starring Melissa Geirge… lasted 1 season… last year there was a US series called “Hunted” that was a reality-based show where teams tried to evade law enforcement. This sounds like the latter, but there’s only been 1 season this far — is the UK version a season ahead? I’m figuring this is referring to a UK version of “Hunted”