Channel 5’s Operation Live gets Aussie adaptation

The Garden’s Operation Live has scored an Australian adaptation.

Channel Seven is localising the format in the new year, with plans to air a two-part special, produced by ITV Studios Australia, that will go behind the scenes on operations in Australia’s leading hospitals.

Operation Live will also feature commentary from Australian cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Nikki Stamp, who will explain the stages of the operation as they happen, working with the surgeon performing the operation.

The special will air across two nights.

ITV Studios-owned prodco The Garden originally produced the show for Viacom-owned UK broadcaster Channel 5, which stripped the 3 x 120-minute series across three nights in November, featuring such operations as open-heart surgeries.

Seven’s director of programming Angus Ross said: “Operation Live will demystify exactly what unfolds during surgery and underline the brilliant work that takes place in our hospitals.

“This event will give audiences a front row seat to a fascinating world that’s normally off limits. When the format aired in the UK, social media was flooded with questions and overwhelming praise for the medical teams involved with people completely in awe of what they had seen.

“Working with ITV Studios Australia and some of Australia’s top-tier hospitals and their elite surgeons, we’re privileged to present this innovative experience for Australian audiences.”

David Mott, MD for ITV Studios Australia, added: “We’re excited to have found the perfect partner in Seven to bring the phenomenal Operation Live to Australian viewers, which rounds out our strongest ever slate of programmes across all genres for 2019.”

Magnus Temple, chief executive of The Garden, said: “We’re delighted that this innovative approach to live programming has inspired Channel Seven in Australia to follow suit and we’re hopeful that other territories will also be able to offer audiences this unique insight into some jaw-dropping surgical procedures.”