C5 climbs aboard Little White Van

UK commercial broadcaster Channel 5 has taken on a children’s show previously aired by rival ITV and greenlit a new celebrity reality series.

C5 has ordered 26 new episodes of kids’ series Olly The Little White Van from UK indie Ideas at Work. The series initially aired on ITV but the latest episodes will now air in C5’s Milkshake strand from this autumn.

The new episodes of the preschool animated show take the total number produced to 70. Having made its debut in 2011, the series has since been sold into 50 territories around the world by Parthenon Entertainment (now rebranded as Sky Vision). It was most recently picked up by Television Educativa in Mexico.

In related news, C5 has commissioned Celebrity Super Spa from ITV Studios and GroupM Entertainment.

The format, which will premiere later this year, sees six celebrities training to work in a beauty salon by carrying out procedures on members of the public.

The six-part series was ordered by Greg Barnett, C5’s commissioning editor for entertainment, daytime and soaps, and is being executive produced by Simon Marsh, Sumi Connock, Tony Moulsdale and Melanie Darlaston.