NEW CHANNEL 4 EXPERIMENT TO TEST SUPERMARKET SNOBBERY

Channel 4 has commissioned High Rock Media to make a new three-part peak time series for Channel 4.  The commission is one of the first for the Belfast-based indie. 

The yet to be titled commission from Channel 4’s lifestyle department will aim to challenge perceptions of supermarket snobbery in an experiment that looks to transform consumer spending habits forever in eye opening and life-changing ways. The show will feature spending hacks to help keep monthly costs down. 

Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 said,  “Northern Irish production company High Rock Media have pulled together a completely eye-opening new format which will truly challenge perceptions of our everyday spending habits.  I hope viewers may take away some spending hacks to help keep monthly costs down too.” 

Fintan Maguire, Founder and Managing Director, High Rock Media said, “To be able to launch the company with a series from Channel 4 is really exciting – thank you to Deborah and to Northern Ireland Screen for helping to make that happen. We think this idea embodies what we aim to do at High Rock, to bring a fresh and relevant take on a genre and topic that already resonates with viewers.”

The 'experiment' aims to 'alter consumer spending habits in life-changing ways'. Broadcast reports the series will also give viewers money-saving tips and tricks to look after their finances. The outlet reports that production has commenced but specific details on the format are being kept underwraps.

Meanwhile, Channel 4 has commissioned new documentary series Free Nelson Mandela from Rogan Productions and GroupM Motion Entertainment charting Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey and the global struggle to free him. 

Free Nelson Mandela (w/t - 3x60’ and 1x90’) is the story of the biggest campaign for a single prisoner in history, and the man who became, for many, the greatest politician of the 20th century. 

The series documents Mandela’s journey from activist to revolutionary, from prisoner to negotiator and how he led South Africa to democracy from a prison cell.  

The image of Mandela walking free from prison after 27 years is one of the most iconic in history. It took a fierce political struggle and cultural battle to bring about his freedom, producing a global people-powered movement and an explosion of musical activism.

With extensive access to those who fought for his freedom and the people at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement, including some of the world’s biggest music stars and hours of previously unseen material, this three-part series, for the first time, tells the story in full. 

Free Nelson Mandela was commissioned by Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4 Head of Specialist Factual. The series is directed by James Rogan. Executive Produced by Soleta Rogan, the Producers are Samora Tikly and Xinlan Rose. Deep Sehgal, Head of Creative Diversity, is Executive Producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment. 

James Rogan, Creative Director of Rogan Productions, said: “Making this series has been a highlight of my career. It has been such a privilege to interview so many of the people closest to Nelson Mandela or helped in the fight to free him...

"From the prisoners on Robben Island to the politicians on all sides, we’ll hear from the leaders, the activists and musicians who took up the battle for freedom from the 1960s onwards. This is a story we all think we know, but through weaving together personal stories, the historic events and the cultural outcry, a whole different dimension emerges that is often overlooked. It’s an epic story for our time about sacrifice, hope and humanity.” 

Free Nelson Mandela will air on Channel 4 and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios, as part of their first-look output deal with Rogan Productions.