BBC1, ITV Studios stage family reunion

BBC1 in the UK is preparing a new Saturday night entertainment format being produced by ITV Studios-owned 12 Yard Productions and TwoFour’s Boom Cymru.

Catherine Tate as Nan

5 Star Family Reunion (8×50’, working title) will see a UK family and their relatives overseas working together, both from the studio and over a satellite link, to win a once-in-a-lifetime reunion in a five-star location.

The family overseas must answer questions to gain time for their relatives in the UK, who then attempt to win money to fund the holiday.

The show will premiere on BBC1 later this year and will be hosted by Nick Knowles. Michael Mannes exec produces for 12 Yard and Ronw Protheroe for Boom Cymru.

BBC1 has also ordered two half-hour episodes featuring comedian Catherine Tate’s character Nan for 2016. The show, which originated as a special in 2014, is being produced by Tiger Aspect and WAF Liberty Productions and will again be written by Tate, Brett Goldstein and Dan Swimer, and directed by Geoff Posner.

Meanwhile, BBC2 has ordered Country Strife: Abz On The Farm, which follows former pop-star Abz Love as he swaps the luxuries of life to renovate a farm and live off its produce.

The 3×30′ series is being produced by Tin Can Island for the BBC. Andrea Cornes exec produces.