Couples Marry at First Sight in new Channel 4 social experiment

8 May 2014

Ann Barnes, Kent’s first elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), The Police Commissioner – Cutting Edge (w/t)

 

Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt has announced a number of new programme commissions including a new social experiment to help Britain’s singletons find love in which three couples will be matched, and Married at First Sight according to scientific and sociological criteria.

The new programmes, announced at Channel 4’s 2013 annual report launch also include a ground-breaking new three-part series, Dementiaville (w/t) which explores a progressive approach to the treatment of people suffering with dementia through allowing the patients to retreat into the memories of their past. 

And as flagship documentary strand approaches its 25th anniversary this month, Channel 4 announces two new Cutting Edge documentaries:  The Police Commissioner (w/t), an eye opening film following Kent’s first elected Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes; and Living with the Roma (w/t) which gives a unique insight into what life is like for the Roma community living in Britain.

The announcements follow a distinctive and successful start to the year for Channel 4, with programmes such as Benefits Street, The Jump, The Grand National, the Sochi Winter Paralympics, Live from Space, Gogglebox, Our Gay Wedding: The Musical, How to Get a Council House, Fargo and The Island contributing towards a year-on-year rise in peak time viewing share of +2% across 2014 to date.  The success of shows such as My Mad Fat Diary, Troy and Made in Chelsea has contributed towards a year-on-year rise in viewing share to E4 of +5%.

Channel 4’s content across 2013 and 2014 has also been rewarded with a range of critical acclaim, including winning nine Royal Television Society Programme Awards, five RTS Journalism Awards, and receiving a record 31 nominations for the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards.

Announcing the new programming, Jay Hunt said: “From Benefits Street engaging millions in a debate about welfare to astronauts somersaulting live from the international space station, the most dangerous reality show on TV, and the awe inspiring Kelly Gallagher winning Gold at the Winter Paralympics, we have started 2014 with a bang.” 

“We are planning to continue in the same vein across 2014 with provocative new shows tackling big social issues.  We’re taking on Britain’s reputation as the divorce capital of Europe in Married at First Sight and in Dementiaville we are exploring innovative research on the treatment of dementia. 

“And, continuing our run of acclaimed single documentaries and as we approach the 25th anniversary of Cutting Edge, we’ve got two eye opening films; on Kent’s first Police and Crime Commissioner and what life is like for Roma communities living in the UK.”