PRESS RELEASE

Channel 5 Boosts Daytime with Double Commission

Network

Channel 5

London, Friday 24th June: Channel 5, today announces two new series commissions which form part of the channel’s expansion bringing original programming to daytime. The Great Auction Showdown with Paul Martin (WT) (80 x 60”) to be produced by STV Studios in Scotland, commissioned by Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+ Adrian Padmore for Channel 5. Executive Producers are, Rosy Marshall-McCrae and John Redshaw for STV Studios. And Holiday Home Show (WT) (80 x 60”) to be produced by Raise the Roof Productions and Motion Content Group, commissioned by Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+ Lucy Willis. Executive producers are Sarah Walmsley and Andrew Jackson at Raise The Roof Productions and Melanie Darlaston for Motion Content Group.

The Great Auction Showdown with Paul Martin will play out stripped across the week, where much-loved antique dealer, Paul Martin, will go head-to-head with a rival expert as they compete to make the most at auction in a fun, yet fiercely competitive new format. Filmed throughout the country, each episode will see the competing experts take part in a number of entertaining ‘challenges’ before auctioning their goods at the end of each day. From persuading the public to let them sell their beloved family heirlooms, to beating the clock, and discovering the towns’ most valuable items, to standing on the rostrum and convincing the public to part with their hard-earned cash - who will be crowned Britain’s best auctioneer of the week?

Craig Hunter, Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Channel 5 for this fun and competitive new format. Paul is the consummate host and pitting him against new experts each week promises to be a fast paced and energetic showdown. We can’t wait to see what the public challenge Paul and his rivals to sell.”

Adrian Padmore, Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+ added: “I am really excited to be launching this new and exciting auction series and to have the expertise of Paul Martin on board. It is going to be very competitive, gavels at the ready!”

About Channel 5

Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Channel 5 and its digital brands – 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select, 5ACTION and the on-demand service My5 – offer a diverse range of issue-led documentaries & popular factual celebrating the British countryside and drawing talent to the channel, accessible history, premium drama and critically-acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 leads on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.

In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald. The following year, Raped: My Story won best Single Documentary at RTS. In 2020, it won crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Awards and by the RTS. In addition that year, it secured its first ever Grierson award win in the ‘Best Single Documentary – Domestic’ category with Suicidal: In Our Own Words. In 2021, it won best factual entertainment at the Broadcast Awards for Springtime on the Farm. It also won best drama at Voice of the Listener & Viewer for All Creatures Great & Small the same year.

About Paramount Global

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, its portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount Global provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.

About Motion Content Group 

Motion Content Group funds, develops, produces and distributes both original and third-party premium content to create value and opportunities for its partners and advertisers. Working with the world’s leading talent, producers and distributors Motion aims to support the editorial, creative and commercial requirements of over 200 networks and platforms. Headquartered in London and Los Angeles, Motion currently operates in over 30 countries worldwide and has a broad range of award-winning programming distributed globally. Motion Content Group is part of GroupM, the world’s leading full-service media investment management operation, a WPP company. Follow Motion on Twitter: @motion_content, Instagram: @MotionContentGroup and LinkedIn.

About STV Studios

STV Studios, led by David Mortimer, is one of the UK’s leading content businesses and is Scotland’s biggest production company, with an impressive track-record of success across drama, entertainment and factual, with commissions spanning BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC Scotland, Discovery, discovery+, VH1/MTV and Sky One. In Scripted, STV Studios’ is responsible for critically acclaimed, award-winning dramas The Victim and Elizabeth is Missing for BBC One; and 6-part prison drama, Screw, for Channel 4. Unscripted formats include returning series Antiques Road Trip for BBC and The Yorkshire Auctioneer for Discovery. The team produce Saturday night shiny-floor show, Catchphrase, for ITV; and quiz show, The Bridge of Lies, for BBC One. The STV Studios family of labels includes unscripted producer Primal Media; high-end drama producer, Two Cities; entertainment outfits, Barefaced TV, Mighty Productions and Hello Mary; and is exclusive production partner to drama company, Tod Productions. www.stvstudios.com

For further enquiries please contact: katherine.kilgour@vimn.com for The Great Auction Showdown with Paul Martin