91Èȱ¬ THREE
Spring & Summer highlights 2004
91Èȱ¬ THREE uncovers
secret worlds this spring
91Èȱ¬ THREE takes viewers on a topical mission behind
the scenes of the world of espionage, unravels the dark secrets of martial
arts and opens up the world of short story writing in this spring/summer
season for 2004.
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Launching the season Controller Stuart Murphy says:
"I feel that this season of programmes is a really substantial
and broad offering to viewers from the very ambitious creative writing
project, End of Story, to Jed Mercurio's medical drama, Bodies,
and the global series on martial arts in Secrets of the Masters.
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"This spring we hope to build on the initial success
of our first year with a range of deeper, more exploratory programmes
across all genres."
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End of Story aims to uncover the next generation
of creative writing talent across the UK.
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91Èȱ¬ THREE has commissioned eight
leading authors including Sue Townsend, Ian Rankin, Fay Weldon and Marian
Keyes to write the first half of a brand new short story.
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These stories will be distributed across the UK from
19 April and budding writers are invited to complete one of the stories
by 31 May.
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The eight winning complete stories will be showcased
on 91Èȱ¬ THREE in the autumn and a number of them
will also be broadcast on Radio 4.
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Among the judges who will help choose the winners are
author Muriel Gray and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah.
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Stuart Murphy says: "This project is very exciting
for anyone who has read a book and thought they could do better. With
the stories covering a variety of genres there's something to suit everyone's
style of writing.
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"This series could change the path of some people's
lives for ever. We hope it is one of the programmes which unquestionably
sets 91Èȱ¬ THREE apart from other channels in this
marketplace."
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Secrets Of The Masters explores the world of
martial arts and spirituality in a 10-part series shot in China, Taiwan,
Japan and the UK.
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Fronted by TV newcomer and world leader in martial
arts Chris Crudelli, it is part history, part travelogue, part education,
and is the first commission from August Productions.
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"The ability to sign up, develop and nurture new
talent in front of and behind the camera remains crucial for 91Èȱ¬ THREE.
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"Chris feels like someone who may be able to break
into mainstream programming in the near future, so we're very excited
about this series," says Stuart Murphy.
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Bodies is a dark and disturbing fictional drama
series which tackles cover-ups and malpractice in a North of England
hospital.
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Cutting edge author and first time producer Jed Mercurio
says: "It's very difficult to get a new series on tv that deals
with dark material and is trying to be ground breaking in a way that
Bodies is but we've had an extraordinary level of support from the 91Èȱ¬.
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"91Èȱ¬ THREE have been really
100% behind the project."
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Max Beesley - who plays Rob - says: "What Bodies
is setting out to do is go where other shows might be a little scared
to and present a very real, sometimes bleak, sometimes funny, sometimes
terrifying picture of the world inside a [fictional] hospital."
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Stuart Murphy says: "This is exactly the kind
of drama that 91Èȱ¬ THREE should be doing.
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"Complex, involving, intelligent and edgy, we hope
it sets a standard for forthcoming dramas on the channel."
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Everyone is fascinated with the secret service particularly
in the current climate.
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Spy is a substantial ten-part series examining
the reality of what it takes to become part of that elite world.
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Eight ordinary people have left behind their regular
lives to take part in the series, taking on a fake alias and living
a lie.
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All participants had to relocate and keep their participation
in the series confidential.
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In return they have been trained in genuine exercises
by former spy agents from across the world, and 91Èȱ¬ THREE
has been with them every step of the way.
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"I want this series to be a tense but utterly compelling
watch," says Stuart Murphy.
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"It required a genuine commitment on behalf of
those taking part to put their lives on hold for six months, and what
we've got is a fascinating, often nerve wracking social experiment.
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"We hope it provides viewers with a level of access
into this fascinating world."
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91Èȱ¬ THREE continually aims to raise the creative bar
across all genres and to encourage new ideas and new talent.
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This strategy has been most successful in comedy and
factual so far; drama is now set to follow.
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Comedies such as the RTS award-winning Little Britain,
Monkey Dust, Nighty Night and Catterick all took big creative risks
and set it apart from other multi-channels.
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This season the channel will build on the comedies
with two new and imaginative shows: The Mighty Boosh and The
Smoking Room.
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The Mighty Boosh is written by and stars Perrier Award-winning
comedy double act Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt.
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It's a magical adventure based in a surreal zoo, with
them playing zookeepers Vince and Howard.
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Produced by Baby Cow it's a unique departure from the
usual comedy formats, so is exactly what 91Èȱ¬ THREE should be doing.
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Noel and Julian say: "We've
tried not to make it like anything else. That was our main goal.
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"We hope it's quite accessible; we tried really
hard to make it our thing, our world. I hope that comes across."
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Stuart Murphy says: "It's
very different and imaginative, so feels absolutely in keeping with
our aims as a channel."
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Documentaries like Towerblock Dreams, Who Rules The
Roost and Little Angels felt like creative departures for a young digital
channel in the winter season and The Trouble With Black Men aims
to build on that emerging tradition.
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Presented by young black journalist and author David
Matthews, the series is a controversial and personal take on what he
sees are the issues facing young black British men today including why
many black children are under-achieving at school and what can be done
to teach them more about black role models.
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David Matthews says: "I think
this series will help black men because it will give us a forum to talk
about the real pertinent issues facing us today."
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Stuart Murphy says: "I commissioned this series
because, like Towerblock Dreams, it covers an area audiences aren't
often exposed to.
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"It's a personal and sometimes controversial take
on what David sees is one reality facing young British black men in
Britain today, and his attempt to provide some answers."
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Underworld Rich List is the start of a new raft
of more hard hitting programmes coming from the new Head of 91Èȱ¬ THREE
current affairs Samantha Anstiss, examining, from close quarters, the
corrupt finances and flamboyant lifestyles of Britain's richest villains.
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Undercover reporter Raphael Rowe says: "Most criminals
have an ordinary background; they could be your neighbour. Yet these
guys generate wealth beyond most people's means and we're talking about
millions and millions of pounds."
Notes to Editors
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91Èȱ¬ THREE's current share is 1.3% among all digital
audiences and 2% for its target audience (25-34 years) with an average
nightly audience of 100,000 and a weekly reach of four million.
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In comparison 91Èȱ¬ Choice's share was 0.94% for all
digital audiences and 1.58% for target audience.
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That reflects an increase to 91Èȱ¬ THREE's share figure
by 27% and 38% respectively.
The channel has won 27 awards out of a total of 51 nominations
since launch in February 2003.
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The commitments set by the DCMS at launch have
all been met or exceeded. The 91Èȱ¬ will report annually on how the channel
has met these commitments from now on.
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Dangerzone (in PDF press pack only) is now known
as Conflicts.
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