BBC commissions emergency service series Farm 999, third season of The Finish Line
UK pubcaster the BBC has commissioned an emergency services series centred on farms and a third season of quiz show The Finish Line.
Rob Unsworth
Co-commissioned by BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland, Farm 999 (w/t) will follow the police, fire and ambulance services as they attend emergency situations in rural communities across the UK.
The 15-part series, produced by Belfast-based Stellify Media with support from Northern Ireland Screen and Fifth Season, was announced by head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning Rob Unsworth at the Belfast Media Festival.
Farm 999 was commissioned via BBC Northern Ireland’s Hot House development scheme, which launches for a second instalment in December. The scheme allows Northern Ireland indies to pitch for network commissions and co-commissions across daytime, documentary and factual entertainment.
In this year’s edition, commissioners will be looking for ideas for three separate programmes in each genre, meaning there will be a total of nine network development packages indies can pitch for. Those selected will receive £25,000 (US$31,640) from the BBC, with the opportunity to apply for match funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
Other programmes commissioned from the first round of the scheme, which will air on the BBC next year, are Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour from Below the Radar, Ride on the Edge from DoubleBand Films, First Communion from Walk on Air Films and The Art Game from Stellify Media.
The two programmes commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland were Sheep Dog Showdown (Stellify Media), which was broadcast earlier this year, and Nazis, U-Boats & the Battle for the Atlantic (Alleycats TV), which will air next year.
Back at the Belfast Media Festival, Unsworth also announced a third 30×45’ season of The Finish Line, which will return to Belfast in early 2025 to begin filming. The quiz show, hosted by Roman Kemp, is produced by ITV Studios’ Potato and Belfast-based Nice One Productions, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
Unsworth said: “The BBC’s commitment to commission outside of London and showcase stories from across the UK is now more important than ever. For 24/25 we’re already forecasting above our target for Northern Ireland commissions, as well as totalling nearly 85% commissions from across the UK.
“With further commissions from Belfast-based suppliers set to be announced shortly, we’re looking forward to working with even more Northern Irish companies in the months ahead.”
