Ken Bruce’s PopMaster TV to return with supersized second series on More4

16 November 2023

• New 16-episode series to include two celebrity specials

Everything will stop for PopMaster for even longer as Channel 4 commissions 12 Yard Productions, an ITV Studios owned indie, to make an extended second series of hit music quiz PopMaster TV for digital channel More4.

The new 16x60’ series presented by legendary radio DJ Ken Bruce will feature two celebrity specials as well as more music, more questions and more opportunities for would-be pop aficionados to flex their music trivia muscles. The series will, once again, be filmed in Glasgow.

In PopMaster TV, five contestants go head-to-head to test the depth of their music knowledge over a series of six knockout rounds. The rounds include ‘Intros, Middles and Ends’, ‘Video Gaga’, ‘Pop Years’ and ‘It’s Only Words’, before two players progress to play ‘Original PopMaster’. The winner must then correctly tackle a ‘3 in 10’ if they’re to take home the PopMaster TV gold disc.

Based on the ionic radio quiz, which has been running for 25 years, the six-episode first series of PopMaster TV elevated More4 to the number one digital channel on weekdays at 8pm, averaging an audience of 760k, an increase of +565% on slot average and +471% on audience share.

Ken Bruce comments: “After playing PopMaster on the radio for 25 years, it was a joy to work with Channel 4 and 12 Yard to finally bring it to TV screens earlier this year. PopMaster TV was brilliant fun and I’m thrilled we get to do it again but with more than double the episodes to put even more music lovers, and some celebs, to the ultimate pop trivia test.”

Jo Street, Channel 4’s head of Daytime and Features, said: “As we hoped they would, our More4 audience really embraced and loved PopMaster TV and I am chuffed to bits that it’s coming back for a longer run. It’s a dream working with the supremely talented Ken Bruce, Phil Swern and the team at 12 Yard to bring this fantastic format from radio to television and I can’t wait to be embarrassingly competitive with the next set of brilliant contestants as we all attempt to become a PopMaster TV champion.”

Michael Mannes, Managing Director at 12 Yard Productions, said: “We are delighted PopMaster TV has been recommissioned for a second series. It is great to be able to build on the success of series one, which launched to fantastic figures on More4, and now gives us the opportunity to take the audience on an even longer musical journey. Ken took to the TV version effortlessly, proving what a talented broadcaster he is and we are very much looking forward to getting back into the studio with him to find our next PopMaster TV champion!”

PopMaster TV is a 16x60’ series for More4 commissioned by Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Features. It will be made by 12 Yard Productions in Glasgow with Zoë Tait, Ken Bruce and Phil Swern as Executive Producers. International distribution for PopMaster TV is handled by ITV Studios.

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About 12 Yard Productions:

12 Yard Productions, an ITV Studios owned indie, is one of the UK’s most successful entertainment format creators.  Shows include hit music quiz, PopMaster, for More4, the new Lucy Worsley-fronted Puzzling, and long-running tea-time favourite Eggheads, both on Channel 5, as well as innovative comedy panel show I’ll Get This for BBC Two. Coming soon is a new medical reality series for Discovery, Foot Fixer (w/t). Other programmes produced are The Cabins for ITV2, reality series Coach Trip, and spin-off Ghost Trip, for E4, the inventive Comedians Giving Lectures for Dave, and ITV’s international hit Big Star's Little Star. 12 Yard also co-produces Catchpoint and Unbeatable for BBC One. The company has offices in London and Glasgow.