- The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys new commission
- New single film How to Stop Your Nuisance Calls
- Extended run for Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords recommission
BriteSpark Films, part of Argonon Group, today announces commissions for three Channel 5 titles – The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys, How to Stop Your Nuisance Calls, and a sixth series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords, ordered by Factual Commissioning Editor, Daniel Pearl.
The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys will be a visually stunning six-part documentary series, telling the stories of six epic train journeys through the characters who travel, work and live near them, and narrated by Bill Nighy.
Winding through the UK and Europe, to Canada, Scandinavia and New Zealand, each film will showcase its own beautiful and distinctive landscapes – from snow-capped peaks, rich forests and swirling harbour seas to chocolate box villages and fairy tale castles. As well as highlighting the various challenges along the way – from weather conditions or migrating animals on the tracks to passengers the train staff contend with – and delving into the history behind these railways.
BriteSpark will deliver a recommission of the hit factual title, Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords in 12 episodes. The sixth, longer series will return to the dark side of Britain’s overstrained rental market – with access to letting agents across the country managing properties and some very challenging tenants, local council housing officers chasing down rogue landlords, and the eviction experts brought in as a last resort when private landlords are at the end of their tether.
How to Stop Your Nuisance Calls will investigate the scourge of cold-calling and examine the new robo-technology, which is exacerbating the existing problem. This programme will also hear from experts who will help the suffering public learn how to avoid being plagued by the phenomenon morning, noon and night.
BriteSpark Films’ Director of Programmes, Tom Porter, says: “We’re very excited to have secured these contrasting commissions from Channel 5. They demonstrate BriteSpark’s focus on producing a wide-ranging factual slate.’’
Channel 5’s Daniel Pearl says: “We are delighted to recommission the hit series Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords. It remains almost unique in British TV in exploring the harsh realities of the rental housing market. How to Stop Your Nuisance Calls will delve into an issue affecting hundreds of thousands of people. The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys is a beautiful and indulgent treat, taking our viewers to places of truly outstanding natural beauty.”
The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys is a 6 x 60 series executive produced by Tom Porter and series produced by Clare Fisher and Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 6 is a 12 x 60 series executive produced by Nick Godwin, series produced by Stephanie Campbell. How to Stop Your Nuisance Calls is a 1 x 60 film, executive produced by Tom Porter. All titles will be distributed by TCB Media.