UKTV’s Yesterday channel steams in with new Hornby series by Rare TV

Hornby: A Model World

6 April 2021

UKTV has commissioned Rare TV to produce Hornby: A Model World (10x60') for its leading factual channel Yesterday.

The new UKTV Original series is an observational documentary following iconic British miniature model maker Hornby. Currently in production, the fascinating new series follows Hornby's staff of dedicated engineers and model makers as well as collectors and model shop owners.

Based at the company's HQ in Kent, Hornby: A Model World is a nostalgic look at the world's most famous modelling company, home to Hornby Railways as well as the Corgi, Airfix and Scalextric brands. With multiple new product launches, the immersive series documents the ups and downs of trying to get these much-loved collector's pieces to their customers on time and on budget, exploring how, by studying the original full-sized machines, these replicas are faithfully reproduced in miniature with incredible attention to detail. The series also features a passionate community of collectors and their layouts; whose expertise and knowledge is invaluable to the company.

The UKTV Original series has been commissioned by senior commissioning editor Helen Nightingale and ordered by Yesterday channel director, Gerald Casey. The series is produced by Rare TV and the executive producer is Emma Barker. Flame Distribution handles worldwide sales outside UK and Eire.

UKTV's Helen Nightingale said,

At Yesterday, we're always on the lookout for hidden stories with fascinating history and passionate people, so we're thrilled to work with leading factual producer Rare TV to share an exclusive behind the scenes look at Hornby, a quintessentially British institution.

Rare TV's Emma Barker said,

Hornby have welcomed us into their wonderful world and we're delighted to be sharing it with Yesterday's audience. It is the perfect home for the programme.

Yesterday's Gerald Casey said,

Since 1920, Hornby has inspired a cult-like following amongst hobbyists and Yesterday viewers are going to love rolling into this world of British model-making, with its fastidious attention to detail, skilled engineers and passionate super collectors.

Flame Distribution's SVP Acquisitions Philip Barnsdall-Thompson added,

As Hornby recently celebrated its centenary year, this exclusive access series promises to reveal all about this iconic company and will no doubt enchant model enthusiasts the world over.

Hornby: A Model World is filming now, adhering to all COVID-19 procedures and regulations. The series will air on Yesterday later in 2021 and will also be available to catch-up on UKTV Play. Other recent UKTV Original commissions for Yesterday include, Secrets of the London Underground, The Architecture The Railways Built, Restoration Workshop, Train Truckers and two further series of the popular Bangers & Cash.

For more information please contact:

For UKTV: Neelam Rhodes, Publicist

Notes to Editors:
Image available here: https://uktv.thirdlight.com/pf.tlx/XWXTf2XoA1jvT © Hornby

About Yesterday
Freeview 26 | Sky 155 | Virgin 129 | Freesat 159 | YouView 26
OOn demand on UKTV Play | @yesterdaytweets | yesterday.uktv.co.uk

Fascinating factual stories from the world around us.

Yesterday showcases original series such as Abandoned Engineering, The Architecture The Railways Built and Warbird Workshop as well as new and exclusive observational documentaries including Bangers & Cash, Secrets of the Transport Museum, and Train Truckers.

The channel also features stunning nature and science programming including David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities and Planet Earth 2, plus seminal war documentaries such as The World at War.

About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.

UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.

About Rare TV
Rare TV is a landmark factual producer which has recently expanded to make a broad range of prime-time Popular Factual and Specialist Factual entertainment. Working for UK, American and European broadcasters, current commissions include documentary and formatted factual series, feature length drama docs, landmark history, natural history and science event programming.

With offices in London, Belfast and Dublin, the company works collaboratively with the best freelance producers, directors, show runners and execs in the business to create brilliant teams that deliver intelligent and entertaining factual programming.

About Flame Distribution
Established in 2011 and headquartered in Sydney, with offices in London and New York, Flame Distribution is a leading global distribution company specialising in high-end factual entertainment and documentary programming across a broad range of genres. With a catalogue consisting of over 1,130 titles and approximately 4,000 hours of programming, Flame Distribution represents over 200 content producers from around the world, applying a bespoke approach to the marketing of each select title. Flame Distribution is also involved in the development, financing and co-production of content, working closely with producers in order to create quality shows for the global TV market.