The Kumars family open up their home to Sky 1 HD
Sky 1 HD today (Wednesday 2nd May, 2012) announces the return of one of television’s most loved families, The Kumars, with a new show planned for transmission this Autumn. A co-production between Avatar and Hat Trick Productions (Spy, Outnumbered, Have I Got News For You) and commissioned by Sky’s Head of Comedy Lucy Lumsden, this marks a return to British screens following a six year absence.
Written by Sanjeev Bhaskar with Bert Tyler Moore, George Jeffrie and Suk Pannu, Bhaskar resumes the role of Sanjeev Kumar alongside Meera Syal (Gran/Ummi), Vincent Ebrahim (Dad/Ashwin Kumar) and Indira Joshi (Mum/Madhuri Kumar). Helen Williams is the producer with Jimmy Mulville the executive producer for Hat Trick and Deep Sehgal the executive producer for Avatar.
Forced to down-size as a result of the economic downturn, The Kumars are now living in a flat in Hounslow, behind the gift shop that Dad, Ashwin, now runs. Host, Sanjeev, is divorced from his wife of nearly two years, Bindiya, but they share custody of their precocious 8 year old daughter. Mum, Madhuri, is intent on setting him up with a high profile celebrity and has a keen interest in online dating agencies. Ashwin has secured a sponsorship deal which has enabled him to resurrect the family’s talk show, which takes place in the living room of their flat. Though only legally available in Punjab and the Hounslow area, cousin Moona knows of a way to hack into any satellite channel in the world.
Sanjeev Bhaskar commented: “It’s incredibly exciting to revisit these warm, oddball characters and to be given the opportunity to bring them up to date. We’ve tried to retain what viewers loved about the original show and to inject new characters and elements in a slightly new format that we hope will appeal to an even broader audience.”
Lucy Lumsden added: “It’s a welcome return for the Kumars. We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen Sky 1 HD and Hounslow as their new home.”
This latest commission is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels. This commitment follows the success of home-grown comedies such as TROLLIED, SPY and STELLA, entertainment hits GOT TO DANCE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS, and factual shows including ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD, AN IDIOT ABROAD and the BAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.
THE KUMARS are back exclusively on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 this Autumn. Following the addition of Sky 1 HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Sarah Aspinall Susan Collins
Senior Publicist, Sky 1 HD Publicity Manager, Sky 1 HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 1488 T : +44(0)20 7032 4243
Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com M : +44 (0)7736 026074
www.skypressoffice.co.uk Susan.collins@bskyb.com
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About Sky 1 HD:
Sky 1 HD is the most watched non-terrestrial channel in Sky homes, attracting more than 20m unique viewers every month and, according to the latest tracker results (October – December, 2011), was the third highest valued channel amongst all Sky subscribers behind only BBC1 and ITV1.
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For further information please contact
Susan Collins - Publicity Manager, Sky 1 HD
T: 020 7032 4243
E: susan.collins@bskyb.com