Channel 4 recommissions Global Format Fund hit from Firecracker Films

23 May 2022

Channel 4 has recommissioned Firecracker Film’s  Open House: The Great Sex Experiment for a second series.

The first series of this bold social experiment was commissioned from Channel 4’s Global Format Fund and helped Channel 4 win the Friday 10pm slot for 16-34s across the series.

Much like the first series, which sparked conversations about monogamy in modern relationships, the second series will follow monogamous couples as they explore whether they would be happier together in an open relationship.

Assisted by experts, the couples will embark on a series of intimate challenges to road-test, within a safe space, whether having sex with other people is at odds with maintaining their committed relationship.

The series was recommissioned by Head of Factual Entertainment Alf Lawrie with Commissioning Editor, Tim Hancock and Senior Commissioning Editor, Vivienne Molokwu. The second series will also be funded from the broadcaster’s Global Format Fund, the ringfenced spend designed to stimulate the creation of original new formats from UK-based indies for UK and International audiences which is overseen by Vivienne Molokwu.

Tim Hancock, who commissioned the series for Channel 4 said: ““The popularity of Open House shines a light on just how many couples nowadays are considering alternative relationship models and I was proud of how the series showed both the joys and difficult challenges that opening up your relationship brings. We’ve been blown away by the number of couples who have applied to come to test out non-monogamy in series 2.”  

Jes Wilkins,  Chief Creative Officer, Firecracker Films said: “I couldn’t be prouder of  the impact that this series has made. It’s harder than ever before to attract a big, young audience to risky new shows and we have achieved that by evolving the blend of purposeful and provocative factual entertainment that Firecracker and Channel 4 have worked on together so successfully over the years.  

Vivienne Molokwu said: "I am excited to announce the second Global Format Fund series recommission. Open House: Sex With Other People performed very well against the fund criteria and it is pleasing to know that there is advanced interest in the format from Australia, the USA and around Europe."

The Tinopolis Group and the series and format will be sold internationally by Passion Distribution. There is advance interest in the format from Australia, in the USA, and around Europe.

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