CHANNEL 5 ORDERS ANTIQUES ADVENTURE WITH SUSAN CALMAN  

London Friday 29th October 2021: Channel 5 has announced today it has greenlit ‘Susan Calman’s Antiques Adventure’. The 5 x 60’ series will be produced by Leeds-based True North. Julie Beanland will be serving as Executive Producer. The series was ordered by Channel 5 Commissioning Editor Dan Louw.   

 The series is set to be stripped across five nights and will be an antiques extravaganza for viewers, with Susan at the helm delving deep into the wonderful world of hidden treasures and collectables. We’ll see the much-loved Channel 5 presenter finding out all there is to know about this multi-million pound trade - covering everything from valuing Britain’s secret stashes, separating the trash from the treasure, spotting the antiques of the future, and even making a few quid for Charity along the way.   

 Susan will be joined by three established and respected antiques experts – Natasha Raskin Sharp, Danny Sebastian and Paul Martin – who will advise and guide her along the way, as she learns the ropes and finds out what it takes to be successful in the antiques world.   

 The series will also look at the antiques of the future, through the eyes of Collectors - from trainers to VHS cassettes and much more - who believe they are sitting on a fortune. It will also include an insiders’ guide to spotting fakes and forgeries, plus the daily Dealer’s Den will see members of the public bringing their cherished antiques to be valued - and, if the price is right, also sent to auction. At the end of the series, Susan will be putting all her newly acquired knowledge and experience to the test, as she steps up to the rostrum at her very own Charity Auction, where viewers will be able to bid for and buy some of the hand-picked and/or restored antiques featured across the week.   

 The series will be filmed at Hemswell Antiques in Lincolnshire, the UK and Europe’s largest antiques centre and aims to be an accessible, fun, and no-nonsense guide to the world of antiques.   

Susan Calman said: “I’m ready to blow the dust off some Antiques and have a big adventure with the help of some new friends. I may not be an expert but I’m enthusiastic with a lot to learn and I can’t wait for my crash course into the world of collectables. If nothing else we'll have a lot of fun!"   

True North Executive Producer Julie Beanland commented: “We are very excited to be working with Susan and such a great panel of experts on a series that taps into Britain’s love of antiques. Danny, Paul and Natasha each bring something different to the shows and, sitting alongside Susan’s infectious charm, we believe the series will be a fresh and informative foray into this fascinating world.”         

Dan Louw, Commissioning Editor for Channel 5 added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Susan again, and her foray into the world of antiques is sure to be hilarious, instructive and unpredictable.” 

Filming for the series will commence in November and is expected to transmit on Channel 5 later this year. 

ENDS 

 For further enquiries please contact: Emily Holmes | emily.holmes@vimn.com 

About Channel 5:
Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been owned by ViacomCBS Networks International since September 2014. Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and My5 TV reach 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month with a diverse schedule including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming and critically acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 has led on societal issues from inequality to inner city gang life, homelessness to mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.  My5 is an on-demand service allowing viewers to watch content online for free from Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select and 5Spike, as well as selected third-party channels. In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald and was named ‘Channel of the Year’ at the Edinburgh TV Festival. In 2019, Chanel 5 won best documentary award for The Abused at the RTS Awards, Edinburgh TV Awards and the Association of International Broadcasters Awards. In 2020, Channel 5 was crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards and Channel of the Year at the RTS awards.  

About Viacom International Media Networks:
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA and COLORS. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom   

About True North:
With bases in Leeds and Manchester, True North is the biggest non-scripted indie in the North of England and has a stand-out track record in devising and delivering long-running, returning series and entertaining formats.  Long running series include The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres for Channel 5, Devon and Cornwall and A New Life in the Sun for Channel 4 and Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire for TLC.   As a Broadcast Best Place to work three years running, True North is home to some of the most creative and dedicated talent in television.   True North’s programmes are sold around the world and can now be viewed in almost 200 territories around the world.