Sky Living HD re-visits Thailand’s Ladyboys for a new six-part series
Sky Living HD announces “Ladyboys”, an original 6-part factual series looking at the lives of Thailand’s ladyboys. The series, airing in May, gives a fascinating insight into a sector of Thai society which makes up 1 per cent of the population.
Although pre and post op transsexuals are openly accepted by Thai society, ladyboys are not officially recognised as women, even after they have a sex change, and the series follows the ladyboys who are challenging perceptions and campaigning for the law to change.
It also looks at the relationships that are formed between Thai ladyboys and Western men, looking further than the ‘sex tourism’ stereotype at the bonds that are formed and the tender relationships that develop.
And as Thailand leads the world in sex reassignment surgery, the series spends time with the men from all over the world who make the pilgrimage to change gender and their lives forever.
Following last year’s successful one-off documentary made by Sky Living and Sky News, Redback Productions have made a thought-provoking 6 x 60 series that reveal the powerful stories and painful journeys many ladyboys have taken to fulfil their dreams of becoming a woman.
As many ladyboys fight for official acceptance, they also struggle to make a life for themselves in traditional careers. So the series also look at the worlds where lady boys can find financial success – visiting the resort of Pattaya where ladyboys from all over the world gather annually to compete for the title of Miss International Queen. Instant fame and celebrity status awaits the winner, like that of Nong Poy, Thailand’s most famous lady boy TV Star.
Siobhan Mulholland, commissioning editor, factual and features for Sky Entertainment says: “’Ladyboys’ is a remarkable series that will transport sky customers to a completely new world; vivid, colourful and surprising. It will look at those superstar ladyboys who’ve broken through while giving insights into those who find themselves in the shadows and on the verge of society. The commission also cements Sky’s commitment to invest in new, unmissable and exclusive content.”
Jane Johnson, Director of Sky Living HD: “Sky Living customers will find this a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary series that shows a side to Thai ladyboys that is rarely portrayed, the complex nature of their relationships and their drive to fight for acceptance in their country. Last year’s Sky Living and Sky News co production single documentary was a huge success and I’m delighted we are returning with a new and unmissable six parter.”
Viv McGrath, Managing Director at Redback Productions: “With incredible access, we found amazing characters who opened up to us completely and honestly. I challenge anyone watching not to come away with any prejudice overturned and a greater insight into what it takes to be a transsexual woman".
“Ladyboys” commission further cements Sky’s commitment to increase investment in original British content by over 50% in the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programming across its portfolio of channels. This commitment follows the success of home-grown content such as entertainment hits including; Mad Dogs, Steps: On The Road Again drama Bedlam and the BAFTA-winning documentary Flying Monsters 3D.
Ends.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Rowan Adams
Senior Publicist –Sky Living HD & Sky 1 HD
Tel: 020 7032 3078
Mob: 07850 776 348
Email: rowan.adams@bskyb.com
Follow us on twitter @Sky_LivingPR
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Sky Living HD
Sky Living HD is one of the UK’s ultimate entertainment destinations on TV. Bursting with the glossiest UK and US productions, the channel embodies fun, optimism and friendship.
Hugely successful commissions like Steps Reunion and Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model, hosted by global icon Elle Macpherson and now in its eighth season, have emerged as some of the UK’s most talked about programmes.
Making a welcome move into original scripted British drama, supernatural thriller ‘Bedlam’ starring award-winning Lacey Turner returns in 2012. Sky Living is turning up the heat to bring even more talent to the channel including Chris Moyles and Stacey Solomon to present the brand new entertainment format The Love Machine.
Sky Living HD has also built a reputation for cleverly identifying and out-manoeuvring its rivals to the best acquired shows and is the home of US hits like The Secret Circle, Ringer, Bones, Cougar Town, Grey’s Anatomy, Unforgettable, Supernatural, Criminal Minds and America’s Next Top Model.
Sky Living HD's high-gloss output is available at channel 107 cementing its place in Sky’s strengthened entertainment line-up, on the front page of the Sky EPG.
For further information please contact:
Rowan Adams - Senior Publicist, Sky1 HD, Sky Living HD
T: 020 7032 3078
E: rowan.adams@bskyb.com
