UKTV has entered into an agreement with Like A Shot Entertainment which will see the company co-produce a new six episode factual series fronted by DJ Jamie Theakston titled Forbidden History for their Yesterday Channel. Said deal was negotiated by UKTV’s Acquisitions Executive Emma Sparks after being ordered by Adrian Wills, General Manager of Yesterday. Forbidden History is set to air on Yesterday later this year.
Forbidden History follows DJ Jamie Theakston as he takes viewers on a journey to uncover the truth behind great myths about long-held conspiracy theories, ancient treasures, lost civilisations and war time secrets. In one episode, Jamie travels to France to investigate what could be one of the greatest cover-ups in human history; did Jesus and Mary Magdalene marry and have children? In another, he seeks out and meets the controversial scientists and archaeologists who have extraordinary evidence which proves giants once lived on earth.
The pick up of Forbidden History comes as Yesterday is enjoying a very successful year. The channel’s factual series Black Ops averaged an opening audience of 389,000 adults and was up 172% on the slot average and the premiere episode of Secret Life Of… drew an audience of 258,000 adults, again well up on the slot average.
“Jamie Theakston is a great addition to the channel and Forbidden History fits perfectly into Yesterday’s remit of ‘Entertainment Inspired by History’”, said Adrian Wills, General Manager of Yesterday. “The series will appeal to the channels’ viewers as they really enjoy historical thrillers and fascinating stories, as the success of Raiders of the Lost Past earlier this year has shown.”
UKTV’s Acquisitions Executive Emma Sparks commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Like A Shot Entertainment and Jamie Theakston on this mysterious and fascinating new series. Jamie’s likeable character and captivating storytelling brings the series to life. Every episode of Forbidden History is bound to intrigue and astonish viewers as history’s most contentious secrets are investigated, scrutinised and analysed.”
While Henry Scott, Managing Director of Like A Shot Entertainment, added: “It has been great to be able to work with UKTV to create this fantastic contemporary history series. We enjoyed making it and all believe the series concept will have on-going appeal for both the Yesterday viewers and in subsequent International markets.”
