Reef Television ties up first BBC Two commission

Reef Television has announced its first major commission for BBC Two Daytime with a new take on the antiques format 'Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting'.
The show, hosted by charismatic antiques expert Chris Gower, will be broadcast during the afternoon on BBC Two this autumn. The commission is the first of its kind for Reef Television, a company founded less than twelve months ago.
Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting sees contestants shopping for antiques in the flea markets of Southern France before heading back to the UK to try and sell their finds for a profit. Contestants receive advice from antiques specialists Mark Franks and Jonty Hearnden, and the teams that make the biggest profits are the winners.
The show will be produced by Alexandra Reed and directed by Stephen Taylor Woodrow. The series editor is Richard Farmbrough, and the executive producer for BBC is Jay Hunt.
Reef Television, a young independent production company which was only nine months’ old when securing the commission, produced a pilot series of Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting in January 2004.
Richard Farmbrough, Managing Director, Reef Television, said: “Reef Television is always looking to develop fresh and innovative programming, particularly in the arts documentary and lifestyle genres, and this commission enables us to just that: by developing a unique blend of the travel and antiques formats. For a company of Reef’s tender age it’s a hugely exciting opportunity.”
Alison Sharman, Controller, BBC Daytime, says: “We are delighted to be working with Reef Television on this project. Sun Sea and Bargain Spotting is an exciting combination of travel and bargain hunting in the European markets and will provide some really potent viewing on BBC Two in the afternoon”.
(SP)