12 February 2015
Yesterday, Britain's biggest factual channel and part of UKTV's multi-award winning network of 11 channel brands, today announced an acquisition deal with Twofour for the brand new series Impossible Engineering (6 x 60").
Adrian Wills, General Manager for Yesterday, ordered the new series and the deal was negotiated by UKTV's Acquisitions and Co-Productions Manager Emma Sparks, with Holly Hodges from Twofour. The executive producers for Impossible Engineering are Neil Edwards and Bridget Sneyd.
Wills commented,
Impossible Engineering is one of Yesterday's flagship shows for 2015, paving the way for the channel's expansion into broader factual content. We're really proud to be able to showcase such a high quality and thoroughly fascinating series - one full of well-known structures, and intriguing insights that build on viewers' existing knowledge.
Impossible Engineering which will air on Yesterday in May, looks at the history of pioneering modern-day mega structures. Behind every seemingly impossible marvel of modern engineering is a cast of historic trailblazers who designed new building techniques, took risks on untested materials and revolutionised their field.
Impossible Engineering is a tribute to their achievements. Each episode details how giant structures, record-beating buildings, and the world's most cutting-edge ships, trains and planes are built and work using 3D graphics, archive and specially shot footage. As this series revels in these modern day creations, it leaps back in time to recount the stories of the exceptional engineers whose technological advances made it all possible.
Emma Sparks commented,
We're delighted to be working with Twofour on this enlightening, compelling and truly credible series. It perfectly complements more captivating factual programming Yesterday has planned in 2015, which includes Battle Factory, Secrets of the Bible, and another series of the popular Raiders of the Lost Past.
Neil Edwards, Executive Producer, Twofour, added
We're delighted that 'Impossible Engineering' will be making its debut on Yesterday. The show's blend of mind-blowing modern engineering and thrilling historical innovations couldn't have found a more perfect home.
Yesterday is the home of fascinating factual stories and has had an excellent start to the year, with January 2015 reaching over 13 million viewers, up 11% on last year. This has been driven by brand new series such as UFO Declassified, with an average of 330k individuals tuning in, up 214% on slot, and WWII Air Crash Detectives, achieving 289k adults, up 156% on slot.
END
For more information contact:
Lara Feinstein, Corporate Communications Coordinator
Emily Jones, Publicist, Factual
Notes to Editors
About Yesterday
Sky 537, Virgin 206, Freeview 19, BT and TalkTalk 019 and on demand via UKTV Play
Showcasing UK premiere series such as Raiders of the Lost Past, Forbidden History, and UFO Declassified, Yesterday provides fascinating factual stories. The channel also features dynamic nature and science programming including David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities and Why Planes Crash, and programmes which challenge expectations including Secrets of the Bible. Ancient history is also featured in series including Medieval Dead, plus modern conflict in shows such as Black Ops.
About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers every month.
UKTV's eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, Watch, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food - include the most popular non-PSB channel in the UK and account for 9% of the British commercial TV market. The company's most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £278m, and EBITDA of £67.4m. It invested a record £125m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.
UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.
Now celebrating its 22nd year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.