ITV gives Viacom first third-party order

Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has commissioned a documentary series from Viacom International Studios that will see newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald travelling across India by rail.

The order marks the first third-party commission for Viacom in the UK, which has previously only produced content for its own networks in the country, Channel 5, MTV and Comedy Central.

Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure will run for two 60-minute episodes, following the veteran journalist as he travels from Mumbai to Delhi on board the Maharajas’ Express.

Along the 1,000-mile journey, McDonald will disembark to meet local people and experience the country’s culture.

Viacom said the commission supported its wider ambitions to grow its international studio business, as it moves to expand production output for its own network of international channels as well as third-party broadcasters and VoD platforms.

Viacom will distribute the docuseries internationally following its launch on ITV. Ed Taylor and Jeff Anderson are exec producing the programme, with John Holdsworth directing.