AM – B’Cast - Robson Green indie wins BBC north east tender
By Ellie Kahn
25 May 2022
Robson Green’s Rivers Meet Productions and Signpost Productions have landed the BBC’s £570,000 tender to produce a daytime / early peak format out of the north east.
BBC2’s Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes (w/t) is a 15 x 30-minute series fronted by Grantchester actor Green in which he explores some stunning parts of the region with some of his famous friends.
It marks the fourth collaboration between Newcastle-based Rivers Meet and Signpost, led by managing director Kenny Toal, following shows including ITV’s Robson and Jim’s Icelandic Fly Fishing Adventure and Discovery Channel’s Giant Lobster Hunters.
Dirty Weekends was ordered following a search for a formatted factual series produced in the north east which got underway in December. The show is expected to TX early in 2023.
BBC commissioning editor, Helen Munson, said: “There is so much talent here in the north east, both on and off screen and this series will absolutely reflect that. Robson is a firm favourite with the audience.”
Robson said he is committed to developing local talent and the series will “showcase the best the north east has to offer.”
Signpost also wants to help create a robust local production sector with returning and long-running commissions.
Its creative director Gareth Deighan said: “We want to make sure we’re contributing to putting the north east on the map.”
BBC commissions Robson Green series to “showcase” North East
BBC Daytime and BBC Two have commissioned Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, a co-production between North East-based Rivers Meets Productions and Signpost Productions.
The new factual series, which will be set in the North East, will “showcase the best the North East has to offer” as it follows actor Robson Green and some of his celebrity friends.
The announcement follows an extensive search for a formatted factual series produced in the North East and is the fourth time the two production companies have worked together.
BBC Commissioning Editor, Helen Munson, said: “I’m really pleased to announce this exciting new commission from my home county. There is so much talent here in the North East, both on and off screen and this series will absolutely reflect that. Robson is a firm favourite with the audience and I’m looking forward to seeing this wonderful series get underway.”
Robson Green, Director at North East based Rivers Meet Productions, commented: “I’m over the moon that we’re going to be co-producing this great series for BBC Two with Signpost productions. This series will showcase the best the North East has to offer.”
Gareth Deighan, Creative Director at Signpost, added: “We’re delighted to get filming this great series with Robson Green and friends, we want to make sure we’re contributing to putting the North East on the map.”
The new commission for BBC Two early evening is part of the BBC’s commitment to spend £25m in the North East over the next five years.
