Channel 5 Orders Titles from Indie Initiative

Channel 5 has commissioned a second season of Sally Lindsay’s Posh Sleepover and a new strand of Greatest Toys…, both from its diverse-led Indie Initiative.

From BAFTA-Award winning Chatterbox, the second season of Sally Lindsay’s Posh Sleepover follows the host as she becomes a 48-hour house guest in some of the world’s most luxurious homes. In the new season, she visits properties beyond the U.K. for the first time.

In three one-hour installments, Big Deal Films’ Greatest Toys… goes back in time to explore toys through the ages. Beginning with the 1970s and ending with the 1990s, the episodes reminisce about the iconic toys and games that were popular in each decade.

The Indie Initiative, set up in conjunction with The TV Collective in September 2019, supports diverse suppliers’ delivery of mainstream, prime-time programs for Channel 5. It has now given rise to 12 commissions, including several on-air successes.

Ben Frow, chief content officer at ViacomCBS Networks UK, said: “This is an important initiative and we’re delighted that it’s continuing to enable talented diverse-led indies to flourish in Channel 5’s prime time. Curating a varied supply chain that incorporates U.K. indies of all sizes, backgrounds and geographies is absolutely crucial if we’re to keep reflecting the audiences we serve at Channel 5.”

Simone Pennant, founder and director at The TV Collective, said: “I applaud all the talent of the indies who have knocked our expectations for the Diverse-led Indie Initiative out of the ballpark. With Channel 5’s belief and commitment, these producers have demonstrated how to diversify a broadcaster’s supply chain, with mainstream content from Black- and Asian-run production companies. As other broadcasters start to follow suit my hope is that they will match Ben Frow’s level of decisiveness, commitment and trust to create outstanding results for their audiences.”