UKTV has acquired the UK premier of Side Hustlers, the US business reality series produced by Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine, part of Candle Media, for its free-to-air entertainment channel U&W and streaming service U.

UKTV and BBC Studios’ Global Acquisitions Manager, Roxana Rehman, secured the deal, overseen by Melanie Rumani, Global Head of Acquisitions, alongside Jayne Redpath, SVP Sales, UK & Ireland for ITV Studios.

Side Hustlers, originally made for the ROKU Channel, was the number one on-demand title during its opening weekend in the US. The show follows six determined women entrepreneurs who have 40 days to transform their side hustles into full-time businesses. Mentored by expert investors, Emma Grede (CEO and Co-Founder of Good American) and Ashley Graham (Supermodel and entrepreneur), the series provides real people with a life-changing opportunity to quit their jobs and pursue their dreams.

"Following the journeys of real women, Side Hustlers is a fresh take on the business reality format that will resonate with our U&W audience."

Melanie Rumani, Global Head of Acquisitions, UKTV and BBC Studios, said: “I’m delighted to have secured a deal with ITV Studios for this distinctive, high-quality title, and commend Roxana for her work in leading negotiations for UKTV. Following the journeys of real women, Side Hustlers is a fresh take on the business reality format that will resonate with our U&W audience.”

"We're so pleased that UKTV has chosen this bingeworthy series for U&W and their streaming service."

Gisela Asimus Minnbergh, EVP Sales EMEA, ITV Studios, added: "We're so pleased that UKTV has chosen this bingeworthy series for U&W and their streaming service. Side Hustlers is such an original, topical and clever concept, not to mention it’s fronted by internationally recognisable talent who are the absolute experts in their fields.”

Seasons 1 and 2 of Side Hustlers (10 x 60’) will make their UK premier on U&W, and be available to stream free on U, later this year.

Additionally, UKTV has licensed all three seasons of Harlots (24 x 60’) and all four seasons of At Home with the Braithwaites (26 x 60’) from ITV Studios, bringing the critically acclaimed British dramas to UKTV’s free-to-air network and streaming service U for the first time.

-ENDS-

Picture caption: Mentors and expert investors Emma Grede and Ashley Graham in Side Hustlers.

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For more information please contact:

yvette.dore@uktv.co.ukCorporate Communications Manager, UKTV

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.

UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster 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.

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About ITV Studios

ITV Studios is a creator, producer and distributor of world-leading programmes that people can’t get enough of. We connect millions of people every day and shape and reflect the world they live in, we are More Than TV.

ITV Studios is home to some of the best creative minds, crafting over 6,700 hours of original programming across 60 production labels. Our global footprint spans 13 countries including the UK, US, Australia, France, Germany, The Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands and our global distribution business sells our catalogue of 90,000+ hours to broadcasters and platforms around the world. In recent years, ITV Studios has 150+ owned and operated channels in the social space delivering over 10bn views in 2024, as well as 20 FAST channels on 100+ channel feeds globally. It launched a new label, Zoo 55 dedicated to expanding its digital and gaming activity, in January 2025.

ITV Studios is part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster ITV and the ad-funded, free streaming home for ITV, ITVX.