C4 back on Benefits Street

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a second season of controversial documentary series Benefits Street.

The show, from Sky-owned UK indie Love Productions, will return for six more episodes in 2015.

Benefits Street caused a stir upon launch in the UK with its no-holds-barred account of the reality of life on state welfare. The series is currently being investigated by regulator Ofcom due to more than 1,800 complaints, while communities that were under consideration for a second season objected and protested at film crews moving in.

However, the programme became the highest rating series for C4 in three years, attracting audiences of more than five million.

Filming of the second run of Benefits Street is under way in Stockton, North East England.

Earlier this year, FremantleMedia acquired global distribution and format rights (excluding UK and North America) to Benefits Street, representing the show at April’s MipTV market.