Channel 4 Daytime restores Mend It For Money to full series

19 June 2020

Following a successful pilot Chalkboard TV’s Mend it for Money has been commissioned for a (20x60’) series for Channel 4 Daytime. The series will be made in Scotland as a Co-Production between Chalkboard and Glasgow-based sister company Storyboard Studios run by Natalie Humphreys.

Mend It For Money is a look into the world of collectibles, antiques and restoration. Housed in a specially created HQ, this series will combine high end restorations with fascinating social history, as some of the best restorers in Britain give stunning objects a new lease of life – but this is a restoration show with a twist.

For each of the three stunning restorations featured in the show, two of the country’s top craftspeople will compete to get the job. Going head-to-head the restorers must pitch their plan for bringing the prized item back to life and, crucially, they must estimate how much profit the item will make when sold and agree a profit share deal with the owner.

The show follows every step of the intricate restoration process at the specially created Mend it For Money hub, which has an industrial, yet warm and welcoming vibe. Narrated by Tom Allen, the show will also tell the history of the item and delve into some of the specialist restoration techniques used to restore the items to their former glory.

Mike Benson, MD and Exec Producer, Chalkboard TV said:

“We were delighted with how the pilot performed and thankful to C4 for the opportunity to go to series where we can now follow our fantastic team of restorers in a whole host of jaw-dropping – and hopefully lucrative! - transformations of old, forgotten and unloved items. We’re also excited to produce in partnership with Natalie and Storyboard in the first of many collaborations between the companies.”

Natalie Humphreys, MD and Exec Producer, Storyboard Studios added: “Here in the Glasgow production scene, we have a long history of making long-running popular factual formats; Mend It for Money will help carry that flame at a time when audiences more than ever look forward to tuning into TV that is great company. Mend It for Money is one of those rare shows that is inclusive and relatable as well as informative and entertaining. We’re excited to get going with Mike and the team on production this summer.”

Kate Thomas, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Daytime said: 

‘I am incredibly proud of the success that the Mend It For Money pilot had when it went out in peak back in April.  It got 1.4 million viewers and performed +6% above slot average. I think this show really resonated with our audience because of its distinctively Channel 4 flavour, plus its warm and diverse cast of restorers, all of whom are completely new to TV and yet utterly brilliant. I’m looking forward to working with Chalkboard and Storyboard to bring this back for a full series, with even more beautifully shot high-end restorations and charming twists.”

Mend It For Money was commissioned for Channel 4 by Kate Thomas, Commissioning Editor for Daytime. The Executive Producers are Mike Benson and Simon Cooper for Chalkboard and Natalie Humphreys for Storyboard. The pilot was filmed in Glasgow at The Engine Works.

 

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About Chalkboard TV (www.chalkboardtv.com)

Chalkboard TV was founded in 2013 and is headed by Mike Benson. The company has established a reputation for producing daring, thought-provoking, multi-genre content for both the UK and international market. Recent UK commissions include scripted thriller Cold Call which delivered C5’s highest ratings of 2019, Inside Prison: Britain Behind Bars for ITV, BBC historical-crime returning series Murder, Mystery and My Family, winner of the Best Daytime Show Broadcast Award; BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 rig-camera show Life Behind Bars: Visiting Hour; kids drama series Logan High for CBBC; ITV comedy game show Don’t Ask Me Ask Britain; and Sky’s pioneering factual entertainment show My Wonderful Life.. Chalkboard is part of IZEN, the international production group that also includes Storyboard Studios in Glasgow, Zebra from Spain and iMagic from the Middle East.

 

About Storyboard Studios (www.storyboardstudios.tv)

Storyboard Studios was founded in 2019 and is headed by managing director Natalie Humphreys who was previously controller of factual & daytime for the BBC. With an award-winning track record in premium documentary, factual entertainment, daytime and specialist factual for the UK and international networks, high-profile productions include The One Show, Countryfile, Trust Me I’m a Doctor, The Big Painting Challenge, Big Blue Live and Afterlife House. We’re proud to hail from Glasgow and believe in thinking globally, while living locally.

 

For more information contact:

Dingile Kasote, Channel 4, 020 7306 8106  dkasote@channel4.co.uk