ViacomCBS’ Channel 5 commissions three UK prodcos for century-spanning history series

UK broadcaster Channel 5 has commissioned three British indie prodcos – Middlechild, Raise the Roof Productions and Lambent Productions – to work together to produce a new series of feature-length historical documentaries – 1000 Years Of History.

Each company will produce two 120-minute episodes for the six-part series, which will tell the stories of six countries – Russia, America, Australia, China, Scotland and Ireland – over the centuries, through “compelling archive and contemporary footage, as well as expert insight and analysis.”

Middlechild is taking on the Australia and America segments; Raise The Roof will focus on Scotland and Ireland, while China and Russia have gone to Lambent.

The three indies have been commissioned as equal production partners and will share resources, such as archival content and contributors, and are currently in production on the show, which will air on the ViacomCBS-owned Channel 5 later in the year.

“Now more than ever it’s important to create progressive, flexible and nimble processes that benefit producers and also meet the creative and commercial needs of the channel,” said Channel 5 commissioner Emma Westcott.

“By establishing this new transparent and collaborative way of working, we envisage that these three like-minded independent companies will come up with something quite special for the 1000 years strand.”

Middlechild has been behind such factual content as The Dog Rescuers, Restoration Workshop and a number of Covid-19 appeals. Raise the Roof produced Phil Spencer’s History Of Britain In 100 Homes, Fight Like A Girl and Big House Little House. Lambent worked on shows including Great Paintings Of The World With Andrew Marr, Filthy Britain SOS and The One Show.