Viasat World Unveils First Co-Production

Viasat World has entered into a partnership with Woodcut Media and TCB Media Rights to co-produce a new factual-entertainment pop-science series, How Hacks Work.

Currently in production and scheduled to premiere on Viasat Explore in 2018, the 30×30-minute series How Hacks Work looks at the best, worst and weirdest ways to solve everyday issues. TCB Media Rights will manage all international rights distribution for the new series, which marks Viasat World’s first co-production venture.

Using footage from YouTubers and the public, How Hacks Work features a unique panel of comedians and scientists who come together to deconstruct the most talked about and hilarious ‘How To…’ videos from around the world. They offer insight into the science behind these hacks through real-life demonstrations by extreme engineering expert Mike Sansom and comedian Stephen Grant.

Karin Heijink, Viasat World’s VP of content and product, said, “Viasat World is one of the biggest independent factual buyers in Europe, and with a comprehensive channel and SVOD portfolio, we are always looking for the very best content for our audiences. Our strategy has always been to build our extensive content library through acquisitions and early prebuys, but now we are moving into co-productions, enabling us to secure the pipeline of relevant, high-quality, factual content for our channels in the future. We collaborated with Woodcut Media on Animal Antics, which we aired on Viasat Nature in 2016, and are delighted to be working with them again. Both Woodcut and TCB have a solid reputation and track record in the industry, making them perfect partners to launch our first co-pro venture, How Hacks Work, which will air on Viasat Explore in 87 countries next year.”

“It’s a privilege to partner with Viasat World on its first co-production and How Hacks Work promises to feature some of the wackiest, smartest, funniest ways to solve everyday problems, one life hack at a time,” commented Derren Lawford, the creative director of Woodcut Media. “We’re also delighted that Anna McVey has joined Woodcut. She’s a super smart, science savvy producer, bursting with ideas, and the ideal person to drive this fun and informative series.”

Paul Heaney, the CEO of TCB Media Rights, added, “How Hacks Work is the perfect access point for broad-based channels to acquire a pop-science show with mainstream appeal. An alternative title might be ‘the definitive guide to living,’ and for that we have high expectations as there is something in it for everyone.”