PopMaster TV recommissioned for double series hit on More4

3 October 2024

More4’s hit quiz show PopMaster TV is set to return for two more series on Channel 4’s digital channel. 12 Yard Productions, an ITV Studios owned indie, has been recommissioned to make 20 new episodes of the music trivia quiz presented by legendary radio DJ Ken Bruce.

This new episode order includes two 9x60’ series, plus two festive celebrity editions for Christmas 2024. The series will, once again, be filmed in Glasgow.

Based on the iconic radio quiz co-created by Ken Bruce and the late Phil Swern, PopMaster TV sees would-be pop aficionados showcase their encyclopaedic musical knowledge in a bid to take home the PopMaster TV gold disc. The first series elevated More4 to the number one digital channel on weekdays at 8pm, while the second doubled More4’s slot average on Monday and Tuesday at 9pm.

Ken Bruce comments: “It’s a privilege to be returning to film two more series of PopMaster TV. It’s always lots of fun to meet pop music quizzers in the studio and put their knowledge to the ultimate test. This year we’ll be making the series in tribute to my great friend, collaborator and PopMaster co-creator, Phil Swern.”

Jo Street, Channel 4’s Head of Lifestyle, said: “I am chuffed to bits at the success of PopMaster TV and thrilled we’re making two new series for More4. We love working with the wonderful Ken Bruce and the team at 12 Yard and, this year, do so in honour of the late, great Phil Swern. Phil was the brilliant Exec Producer who brought PopMaster from the radio to the TV screen for us. A radio legend and thoroughly nice man who I am so pleased to have called a friend, Phil is sorely missed by us all.”

Michael Mannes, Managing Director, 12 Yard Productions, said: “We are delighted that PopMaster TV is returning for two brand new series alongside some Christmas specials for 2024. The show has landed brilliantly on More4, becoming a must watch for music fans, and we can't wait to get back in the studio with Ken, who is equally at home on television now after effortlessly taking PopMaster from radio to TV. We will miss our friend and Exec Producer Phil Swern greatly and will endeavour to match his peerless pop knowledge and do him and PopMaster proud.”

PopMaster TV is a 20x60’ episode commission for More4, commissioned by Jo Street, Head of Lifestyle, with Barry Agnew, Commissioning Executive, Lifestyle. It will be made by 12 Yard Productions in Glasgow with Zoë Tait and Ken Bruce as Executive Producers. International distribution for PopMaster TV is handled by ITV Studios.

To apply to take part, email: PopMasterTV@12yard.com.

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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. Its formats include Cheaters: Unfinished Business, a co-production with Lifted Entertainment, coming soon to Netflix, PopMasterTV for More4, Eggheads and Puzzling for Channel 5, comedy panel show I’ll Get This for BBC Two, The Cabins for ITV2, reality series Coach Trip, and spin-off Ghost Trip, for E4, Comedians Giving Lectures for Dave, as well as Bad Foot Clinic for Discovery, Money List for RTE, and ITV’s international hit Big Star's Little Star. 12 Yard also co-produced Catchpoint and Unbeatable for BBC One. 

12 Yard Productions has offices in London and Glasgow.