WBD UK commissions new factual shows
September 22, 2022
Warner Bros Discovery UK has commissioned three new linear series; Secret Life of the Auction House (w/t), Vintage Brokers (w/t) and Supercar Airport (w/t), and has also confirmed the return of Kings Of The Wood, MotorPickers, Fifth Gear Recharged and Wheeler Dealers on linear channels and discovery+ starting next year.
Secret Life of the Auction House (w/t) is a 8×60 Curve Media series that goes behind the scenes to show the inner workings of Hansons Auctioneers. Each episode unveils a variety of objects from the first edition Harry Potter book and Queen Victoria’s night dress, to a Victorian vampire slaying kit and cake from Charles and Dianna’s royal wedding. The series follows unique items with fascinating stories from the moment they come in for valuation to the day they go under the hammer. Quest viewers will be able to watch the series from January next year.
Produced by Ricochet, Vintage Brokers (w/t) is a 8×60 show in which antique dealers compete to find their clients the perfect antique item. From antique lovers looking for something special for their home to hoteliers and restaurateurs looking for an eye-catching and unique centrepiece for their businesses, the customers set a brief and decide which dealer has found their dream antique. Airing on Quest from March 2023, the series will see two pairs of dealers in each episode go head to head to prove they are the best in business.
Supercar Airport (w/t) is a 8×60 series produced by Air TV that follows supercar-dealer supremo, Dean Bartle, as he gives potential buyers a unique test-drive experience at an airport runway, just metres away from his dealership. The show is due to air on Quest next spring.
Appealing to the automotive audience, more motoring shows will return in 2023, including the second season of North One-produced Fifth Gear: Recharged. Season 2 will see the 8×60 series delve into the ins and outs of electric cars, including exclusive access to test drive Lamborghini’s new £2.1 million hypercar. Also returning for the third season is Worker Bee-produced MotorPickers, with the 10×30 episodes offering a unique speed-dating show for petrol-heads.
Betty TV-produced Wheeler Dealers also returns next year with fan-favourites, Mike Brewer and Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley, marking 20 years since the launch of the show. Heading into its eighteenth season, Wheeler Dealers, which follows a mission to save old and repairable enthusiast vehicles, is the longest-running motoring series on Quest. The new season will air on Discovery Channel in 2023, followed by Quest in 2024.
In addition, Quest will welcome the 10×60 second season of Ricochet and Krempelwood-produced Kings of the Wood, with Rich Miller, judge on The Great Pottery Throwdown, joining the show. After a popular debut season, the show will expand beyond the craft of carpentry to feature metal workers, leather experts and ceramicists all working together to create amazing bespoke items for well-deserving members of the public.
Victoria Noble, VP Commissioning Factual, at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “We’re delighted to bring Secret Life of the Auction House, Vintage Brokers and Supercar Airport to our linear channels as well as discovery+. We’re also excited to see a host of returning favourites with more seasons of Kings Of The Wood, MotorPickers, Fifth Gear Recharged and Wheeler Dealers. These shows speak to our audience’s passion points whether that’s trading antiques, crafts and DIY or motoring. We are excited to not only bring back fan favourites that serve their interests but continue to unearth new series that build further on our deep factual library that continues to power people’s passions.”
The series were commissioned by Victoria Noble, VP Factual Commissioning, and executive produced by Oliver Wilson and Jon Stephens.