UKTV drums up business for Hello Sunshine’s Side Hustlers in deal with ITV Studios

Side Hustlers’ Emma Grede and Ashley Graham

BBC Studios-owned UKTV has acquired the first two seasons of US business reality series Side Hustlers for its free-to-air entertainment channel U&W and streaming service U.

Produced by actor Reese Witherspoon’s prodco Hello Sunshine for original commissioner Roku, it follows six female entrepreneurs who have 40 days to transform their part-time passion projects into full-time businesses.

Mentored by expert investors Emma Grede and Ashley Graham, Side Hustlers (10×60′) provides people with a life-changing opportunity to quit their jobs and pursue their dreams.

UKTV and BBC Studios’ global acquisitions manager, Roxana Rehman, secured the deal, overseen by Melanie Rumani, global head of acquisitions, alongside Jayne Redpath, senior VP sales, UK and Ireland for distributor ITV Studios (ITVS).

Rumani said: “I’m delighted to have secured a deal with ITVS for this distinctive, high-quality title. Following the journeys of real women, Side Hustlers is a fresh take on the business reality format that will resonate with our U&W audience.”

Gisela Asimus Minnbergh, executive VP sales EMEA, ITVS, added: “Side Hustlers is such an original, topical and clever concept, not to mention it’s fronted by internationally recognisable talent who are the absolute experts in their fields.”

In related news, UKTV has also acquired all three seasons of period drama Harlots (24×60′) and comedy-drama At Home with the Braithwaites (26×60′) from ITVS.