Wednesday 19th April 2017

Multi-award winning broadcaster UKTV today announced it is strengthening its commitment to original programming on its free-to-air channel, Really, with the commission of Into The Fire (w/t) (20x60'), a brand new documentary series from independent production company IMG.

Using pioneering state-of-the-art technology Into The Fire offers a unique look at what it's really like to be a fire fighter in Britain today, with exclusive access to West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), the second busiest fire and rescue service in the UK.

The series will be filmed almost entirely by the fire crews themselves, using their revolutionary new helmet- and body-worn cameras. This raw and dramatic footage will will give viewers a new and sometimes shocking insight into the life of a front line firefighter. The self-shot footage will be supported by powerful personal testimony from the heroic teams who attend the emergencies including fires, road traffic collisions and rescues. Their helmet cameras are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered in many blazes.

Into the Fire will also follow WMFS firefighters and their colleagues engaged in a wide variety of work designed to keep people and businesses safe, and will take a look at the lives of firefighters away from the fire station.

The new series was ordered by Really General Manager, Luke Hales and UKTV Director of Commissioning, Richard Watsham. It is commissioned by Commissioning Editor Helen Nightingale for UKTV. The Series Producer for IMG is Nick Kenton and the Executive Producers are Helen Nightingale for UKTV and Bob Massie for IMG. The series is currently in production and will transmit later this year.

Luke Hales, general manager, Really, said:

This is the third factual commission in less than 12 months as we grow Really's slate. We are committed to bringing our viewers original, home-grown content and we hope this show will push the boundaries of their perceptions of a modern-day UK firefighter.

Phil Loach, Chief Fire Officer of West Midlands Fire Service, said:

We're delighted to be working with UKTV, Really and IMG on this ground-breaking series. It is a fantastic opportunity to tell the story of a 21st century fire and rescue service, which is about so much more than responding to fires and traffic collisions. We're very much looking forward to giving viewers a revealing insight into our work making the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier.

Helen Nightingale, Commissioning editor, UKTV said:

We are very excited to be bringing another extraordinary documentary series to Really which is becoming the go to channel for compelling real life stories.

Bob Massie, Executive Producer Entertainment, Factual and Formats, IMG said:

Firefighters are Britain's everyday heroes but until now, the only people who see the amazing work they do, especially in the very heart of fires, are their own crewmates. Viewers at home will be given a unique and captivating insight into the incredible bravery, skill, teamwork and compassion our firefighters display as they risk their lives to keep us all safe.  

UKTV's free-to-air channel Really has established itself as the home of real-life programming. Real-life rescue is a key content pillar, alongside crime, paranormal and lifestyle programming. Really saw success with its UKTV Originals in 2016, Helicopter ER since premiere reached an audience of 3.3m individuals and Cops UK: Body Cam Squad debuted with an audience of 233k individuals.

DCD Rights will be handling the international distribution for the series.

ENDS
For more information contact: Annabel Rudden
Plank PR 020 8995 3936 / annabel@plankpr.com

Notes to Editors:

About Really

Sky 155, Virgin 267, Freeview 17, BT & TalkTalk 017 - On demand on UKTV Play

Really is a leading real life TV channel, offering viewers an exhilarating, emotional roller coaster of programming. Championing astounding documentaries, real life crime stories and lifestyle programming plus premier paranormal content. Free to air channel Really offers a compelling variety of real life and lifestyle favourites including documentaries such as Embarrassing Bodies, Helicopter Heroes, I Survived Evil and One Born Every Minute, lifestyle titles such as Homes Under The Hammer, DIY SOS and Escape to the Country as well as being the leading paranormal broadcaster with titles such as Paranormal Witness, Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures.

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.

corporate.uktv.co.uk / press.uktv.co.uk / @uktv_press

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in entertainment, sports, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world's greatest figures in entertainment, fashion and sport. IMG is one of the world's largest independent producers and distributors. IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.

About DCD

DCD Rights is one of the UK's leading independent television programming distributors representing more than 2,500 hours of content across a wide range of genres, including drama, factual entertainment, lifestyle, music, documentary programming and formats. DCD Rights' catalogue contains shows from top international producers/directors and independent producers and also features classic and cutting-edge concerts. An independent for more than 30 years, the company formerly named NBDtv became part of production and distribution group DCD Media plc in 2006. Find out more on www.dcdrights.com.