Channel 5 to Explore 1,000 Years of History

Channel 5 has commissioned the landmark history series 1000 Years of History, which will be produced by a trio of indies: Middlechild, Lambent Productions and Raise the Roof Productions.

The series will explore the defining stories of six of the world’s nations: China, Russia, America, Australia, Scotland and Ireland. Told through archive and contemporary footage, as well as expert insight and analysis, each of the six two-hour specials will focus on one nation’s unique story and dramatic changes across the centuries.

The three indies have been commissioned as equal production partners. They will work collaboratively to each create two of six specials. They will combine efforts in a number of areas, sharing materials including archive content and contributors, alongside creating individual narratives for their respective specials. The series is currently being filmed and will air later this year on Channel 5.

“Now more than ever it’s important to create progressive, flexible and nimble processes that benefit producers and also meet the creative and commercial needs of the channel,” commented Emma Westcott, commissioning editor for Channel 5. “By establishing this new transparent and collaborative way of working, we envisage that these three like-minded independent companies will come up with something quite special for the 1,000 Years strand.”