3rd October 2023 - UKTV has commissioned a new series of the BBC Four programme, Canal Boat Diaries (10x60') for leading factual channel Yesterday and free streaming service, UKTV Play, having licensed the format rights from the BBC.
The new UKTV Original series will continue to be presented by narrowboat enthusiast Robbie Cumming, in a new, longer 60' slot. The series will be produced by Middlechild. The executive producer at Middlechild is David Sumnall and the series producer is Stuart Woodman, who produced the previous four series for BBC Four.
In the new series, Robbie explores the urban waterways of the West Midlands through Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick before tackling Birmingham's maze of canals.
Canal Boat Diaries has been commissioned for UKTV by commissioning editor Kirsty Hanson, with head of factual and factual entertainment Helen Nightingale, and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Yesterday and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.
Robbie Cumming said,
I can't wait to get going.. my aim is to see as much of Birmingham's Canal Navigations as possible before I head south down the Grand Union Canal. Who knows how far I'll get? There's so much to explore and I'm so pleased this new series has ten...! yes ten! one hour episodes so I cover so much more of my journey and show my life onboard the Naughty Lass.
Yesterday's channel director, Gerald Casey, said,
Yesterday audiences will love jumping on board the Naughty Lass with Robbie and seeing the industrial canals of the Midlands while learning a bit about the joys (and frustrations) of life on the water.
Kirsty Hanson, UKTV commissioning editor, said,
We are hugely excited to work with Middlechild again, to produce a new series of Canal Boat Diaries for Yesterday. The longer format of 60 minutes gives us the freedom to visit locations that are off the usual tourist trail and learn more about Robbie Cumming.
David Sumnall, Executive Producer, Middlechild said,
We can't wait to show Yesterday viewers Robbie's next amazing journey. Following the ebb and flow of his life on the water as he navigates Britain's beautiful canals and rivers has become essential viewing. Who'd have thought you could get so much drama and excitement at 4 mph!
Canal Boat Diaries is filming now and will air in 2024 on UKTV's Yesterday channel and will be available on UKTV Play, joining a slate of original programming including Bangers & Cash, Secrets of the London Underground, Retro Electro Workshop and Classic Car Garage.
-End-
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About Yesterday
Freeview 27 | Sky 155 | Virgin 129 | Freesat 159 | YouView 27
Stream for free on UKTV Play | uktvplay.co.uk/channel/yesterday | @yesterdaytweets.
TV for curious minds, revealing fascinating factual stories from the world around us.
Yesterday showcases original series such as Abandoned Engineering, The Architecture The Railways Built and Secrets of the London Underground as well as new and exclusive observational documentaries, including Bangers & Cash and Hornby: A Model World.
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 - 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.
UKTV Twitter: www.twitter.com/UKTV
UKTV Corporate Website: www.corporate.uktv.co.uk
About Middlechild
Middlechild are based in the vibrant Seven Dials area of Brighton, and in the creative community of Ouseburn in Newcastle (Northern Child), making factual television and documentary films for broadcasters around the world. From popular, series such as, Fare Dodgers, The Dog Rescuers, Northern Justice, and The Pet Psychic, to powerful films like Nuremberg: The World's Biggest Murder trial, and Therapy: Tough Talking.