BBC Renews "Only Connect" And Others; Orders New Game Show Formats For 2015

Like many other networks are doing this month, including GSN at the beginning of the week, BBC has announced their original programming plans for 2015. Their announcement included the ordering of several new reality show, game show, entertainment and competition show formats, pilots, and the renewal of a few game shows. Returning game shows include BBC Two’s Only Connect, heading into another 29-episode series, Who Dares Wins, heading into its eighth series, In It To Win It, coming back for eight more episodes, and Win Your Wish List, returning for a second series next year for 8 50-minute episodes. Today’s article will take a brief look at each new BBC game show and competition show format.

Can’t Touch This

Channel: BBC One

Producers: Stellify Media; EPs: Kieran Doherty and Matthew Worthy

Premise: A 10-part series where contestants navigate their way through an obstacle course and battle to touch prizes to win them. The series is filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Premiere Date: TBD

The Hive

Channel: BBC Four

Producers: Green Inc Film & Television and Saltbeef TV; EPs: Stephen Stewart and Jeremy Salsby

Premise: Contestants are faced with the challenge of answering questions by trying to find them inside a honeycomb-style graphic of letters while racing against the clock (Sounds like a combination of Blockbusters & Now You See It). BBC Four has ordered 13 30-minute episodes and the show will be filmed in Northern Ireland later this year.  

Premiere Date: TBD

Perfect Match (Pilot)

Channel: BBC One

Producers: BBC; EP: Leon Wilde

Premise: Couples attempt to match the correct answers and correct questions under a time limit. Nick Knowles will host the pilot. 

Airheads (Pilot)

Channel: BBC Two

Producers: So Television; EP: Graham Stuart

Premise: Teams battle to design, build and race drones in extraordinary locations 

Sources: Broadcast, Digital Spy, So Television