BBCWW unveils fact ent slate

MIPCOM: BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) is leading its factual entertainment slate here in Cannes with competition series Astronauts: Toughest Job in the Universe and the US version of Top Gear.

Astronauts: Toughest Job in the Universe is from BBC Studios and follows 12 ordinary people as they take on the most demanding selection process to prove they’ve got what it takes to become an astronaut.

Top Gear America is the latest incarnation of the hit motoring format, which now airs on BBC America after being dropped by A+E Networks’ History.

Bang on Budget sees property expert Lucy Alexander and builder Harry Hoffen help ordinary people transform their homes into luxury properties on tight budgets.

Other titles on the slate include roadtrip/cookery hybrid Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico and the UK version of The Great British Bake Off, which recently switched from BBC1 to Channel 4.

Earlier this month BBCWW struck a series of format deals for the cookery show, including with Sony Pictures Television Networks in Hungary.

Talent including Colonel Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space, and the team from Top Gear America TV including co-host William Fichtner (Prison Break) will be in Cannes with BBCWW.