Foxtel, Ten go for Gogglebox

Australian broadcasters Foxtel and Network Ten have commissioned their first show together, ordering a local version of Studio Lambert’s hit format Gogglebox.

The show was first made by the All3Media-owned prodco for Channel 4 in the UK and features people watching and commenting on TV series from the previous week.

It will air on Foxtel’s The LifeStyle Channel and Network Ten in 2015 and is being produced by Shine Australia.

The format is sold globally by All3Media International, the distribution arm of All3Media, with local versions already ordered by RTL4 in the Netherlands, Bravo in the US, TV3 in Ireland and ICTV in the Ukraine.

Meanwhile, pay TV platform Foxtel has unveiled its new and returning programming for 2015 and revealed it will roll out HD versions of nine channels in its premium content packs from November.

Foxtel is also set to launch its new BoxSets channel, which will offer subscribers live and anytime access to popular programming available from the subscription service.

Shows available at launch will include Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, Band of Brothers, Wentworth and Dexter.

The Aussie operator has also extended its output agreement with HBO, which sees Foxtel offering exclusive access to all first-run programmes from the US broadcaster. The arrangement also includes on demand access to complete seasons of HBO’s library dramas and complete past seasons of returning series.

Foxtel has also ordered two more seasons of drama A Place to Call Home from Seven Productions, while factual series Selling Houses Australia, Grand Designs Australia and River Cottage Australia have all had their runs extended on The LifeStyle Channel.

Fox8’s summer line-up includes two new US shows, action series The Flash and comedy drama Jane the Virgin, while A&E will debut a local version of Pawn Stars. Elsewhere The Comedy Channel will air a 20-part show featuring comedians Rick McKenna and Laura Walters while animated show Pacific Heat, produced by Working Dog, is also in development.