ITV explains How to Catch a Killer

UK broadcaster ITV has commissioned a documentary series about the ‘Golden Hour’, the name police give to a critical window of time that is vital to solving murder cases.

How to Catch a Killer will see detectives from Northumbria Police switching on ‘moving rig’ HD body cameras at moment they are alerted to a murder and recording the decisions they make in the critical first hour. It then follows the rest of the investigation, to the point a suspect is caught and arrested.

Presenter Trevor McDonald will author the episodes.

ITV Studios-owned Potato is producing the series, with managing director Michael Kelpie and creative director Ed Taylor executive producing. Claire Morrison and Taylor developed the format, which ITV Studios Global Entertainment will likely distribute internationally.

True Crime has become an international phenomenon, with the success of The Jinx and Making a Murderer,” said Kelpie. “We’re bringing even more drama to this genre, with a nail-biting murder hunt in every single episode. This unique and fascinating documentary format will take us beyond the blue tape and inside the white tent, as we follow the exceptional work of Northumbria’s murder detectives.”

In his controller session yesterday, ITV’s director of television, Kevin Lygo, revealed he had commissioned a new panel show from comedian Harry Hill.

Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule will see the madcap performer presiding as two teams attempt anything they think is funny in order to prove to aliens humans are worth saving. The teams will place objects into a capsule, with the winner being judged by Hill.

This marks the return of Hill to ITV. His long-running Harry Hill’s TV Burp ran for eleven seasons between 2001 and 2012.

Lygo also revealed he had commissioned a sitcom featuring another comedian, Jack Dee.

Alien Fun Capsule will come from UK indie Nit Productions, which is a joint venture between Hill and CPL Productions.