Simon Mayo to host new series of Blockbusters for Challenge TV
Challenge TV today announces award-winning broadcaster Simon Mayo as the brand new host of cult hit quiz show Blockbusters.
The iconic series, which is being produced by Thames, will return to screens later this spring and is being filmed at Sky’s new state-of-the-art production facility, Sky Studios.
The new Simon Mayo fronted show marks Challenge TV’s first original commission since it re-launched on Freeview last year and supports Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in home grown content to £600m by 2014.
“Blockbusters is the ultimate cult TV quiz, and we think that Simon Mayo is the perfect host to bring it back to our screens,” commented Barbara Gibbon, director of Challenge TV. “We hope that it will be popular not only with those of us who loved it the first time around but also with a brand new generation of fans. We might even bring back the hand-jive!”
Simon Mayo is one of Britain’s best-loved and well-known radio presenters. He joined Radio 1 in 1986 and now presents Drivetime on BBC Radio 2. He is also the co-presenter of Kermode and Mayo's Film Review on BBC Radio 5 Live. In 2008, Mayo was recognized as the ‘Radio Broadcaster of the Year’ at the 34th annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and the ‘Speech Broadcaster of the Year’ at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.
Simon Mayo, Blockbusters presenter said: “Blockbusters is an iconic show and a winning format. I feel very honoured and excited.”
Blockbusters first broadcast in the UK on ITV in 1983 hosted by the late Bob Holness, where it ran for eleven years.
The new Blockbusters has been commissioned by Antonia Hurford-Jones, and executive produced by Suzy Lamb and Phil Parsons. The series producer is Helen Tumbridge.
Suzy Lamb, Head of Entertainment, Thames added: “It’s testament to the huge popularity of Blockbusters, that Challenge TV have commissioned a new series.”
Unlike the original series which featured students, the new Blockbusters is open to anyone over the age of 18.
For further information visit: www.challenge.co.uk
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Notes to editor
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Challenge TV
Challenge TV is the only UK TV channel of its type showing the biggest and best games shows from Britain and around the world. It offers cult shows, world famous quiz formats, innovative new game shows and superb TNA Impact Wrestling action. From original UK commissioned content to iconic classic shows from the past, there's something for everyone.
Challenge TV is available on Freeview channel 46, Sky channels 125 and 164, Virgin Media channel 139.
FremantleMedia UK is the UK production arm of FremantleMedia, the global production and content business of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio company. FremantleMedia UK, comprises of agroup of labels, Talkback, Retort, Boundless and Thames, which produce some of the UK’s most successful shows. The labels are headed up by some of the UK’s leading creative talent including Richard Holloway, Dan Baldwin and Jon Rolph. Across the group the labelsprovide award winning programming for all major terrestrial, digital channels and digital outlets. With an unparalleled range of programming including: The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Juice, Take Me Out, Over The Rainbow, The Apprentice, You’re Fired, Can’t Take It With You, Four Rooms, Grand Designs, Great British Railway Journeys, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, The IT Crowd, QI, The Rob Brydon Show, The Sinking of the Laconia, Kidnap and Ransom and Holy Flying Circus - the Group has aired over 450 hours of programming on terrestrial TV in the past 12 months alone.
Currently On Air and in production: Thames: The X Factor, Xtra Factor, All Star Family Fortunes, Take Me Out, Take Me Out the Gossip, Britain’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got More Talent, Blockbusters