DNI explores phobias with Grylls

Discovery Networks International (DNI) has unveiled a slate of factual commissions that include the company’s latest project with adventurer Bear Grylls.

Bear Grylls: Breaking Point (6×60’) will see the survivalist embark on treks through the wilderness with members of the public who have pronounced phobias.

Participants will have to overcome their worst nightmares – ranging from common fears of rats and spiders to more unusual aversions to trees and water – during their gruelling journey.

The series will premiere in the first quarter of 2015 and is being produced by Discovery-owned London-based prodco Betty. Sarah Davies and Tom Sheahan executive produce.

The commission is part of a slate of new programmes from DNI, which also includes Tethered (6×60’), due to air in the fourth quarter of this year.

The series will test people’s ability to survive in challenging terrain and environments while physically tied to a complete stranger with an entirely different outlook and background.

Participants will be dropped into a remote location tied together with a six foot cable and armed only with a map and basic survival kit. They must work and exist together to find their way back to civilisation.

The Sharp Entertainment format was commissioned by Davies who will executive produce alongside the prodco’s Matt Sharp, Dan Adler and Peter Goetz.

DNI is also moving ahead with Man vs Expert, a 6×60’ series due in the first quarter of next year and produced by Magnum Media. It sees everyday people take on experts with help from part-hustler, part-magician host Alexis Conran.

Elizabeth McIntyre is the commissioner of the series and Helen Hawken is the executive producer for DNI. Andy Auerbach and Dean Nabarro are the executive producers for Magnum Media.

Elsewhere DNI has renewed Manhunt with Joel Lambert for a second 6×60’ season, with Discovery Studios once again producing.

The series will air on DNI’s channel portfolio across more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.