ABC Commercial shops comedy, royal doc

Children’s factual series How to Do Stuff Good

MIPTV: A shortform comedy and a docuseries about the British royal family top the new programming slate from the distribution arm of Australian pubcaster the ABC here in Cannes.

ABC Commercial is at MipTV offering content such as The Housemate, a 6×8’ comedy in which two best friends get to know a host of potential new tenants, eliminating them one by one until they find the housemate of their dreams.

Two-part factual series The Royals on Tour, meanwhile, examines the relationship between the UK monarchy and the public, seen through the lens of major historical and political events and featuring footage from across more than than half a century.

Also on offer is another two-parter, The Great Australian Bee Challenge. The show explores Australians’ love of bees as host Paul West (River Cottage Australia) guides four families to compete against one another as they attempt to build thriving hives that produce delicious honey.

Elsewhere, ABC Commercial builds on the current trend for true crime with one-hour doc Blood on the Tracks. Building on the podcast of the same name, the investigative film examines the mysterious death of teenager Mark Haines, whose body was discovered on train tracks 30 years ago.

The slate also includes ballet-focused films Spartacus, The Merry Widow kids series The Wiggles: Big Ballet Day. All three feature the Australian Ballet.

In addition, How to Do Stuff Good (10×7-8’) is a series hosted by children that demonstrates how to do all sorts of things, from cooking to pranks. And finally, Advice to My 12-Year-Old Self sees funny and inspiring people, such as politicians, athletes, academics, activists, performers and artists, offer suggestions they would give to their younger selves.