David Jason Fools around with UKTV

Multichannel operator UKTV’s comedy network Gold has commissioned a travel documentary with Only Fools & Horses icon Sir David Jason.

David Jason

David Jason: Planes, Trains & Automobiles (5×60’) will see the actor travel along the West Coast of the US by road, rail and air, exploring the heritage of American transport and looking at its high-tech future.

The series is being produced by ITV Studios label Shiver and will air on Gold in 2019. Iain Coyle, senior commissioning editor at UKT, will exec produce alongside Mike Blair for Shiver. Chris Malone will series direct. The show was ordered by UKTV director of commissioning Richard Watsham and genre general manager Steve North

UKTV has increased its investment in original programming of late, with a 40% rise in commissions and the biggest commissioning slate in its 25-year history. This latest order comes during a flurry of activity across the company’s networks.

Gold recently commissioned a series marking the 50th anniversary of classic comedy Dad’s Army plus comedy murder-mystery Death on the Tyne, while Yesterday ordered automotive reality series Bangers & Cash. Dave, UKTV’s fellow comedy-skewing channel, recently commissioned panel show Hypothetical.

UKTV channels remain unavailable to Virgin Media subscribers due to an ongoing dispute between the firms over fees.

Read more about UKTV’s commissioning strategy in the C21PRO UK Territory Report.