BBCWW, Zig Zag bag new W originals

BBC Worldwide will distribute an unscripted series that is one of two new originals for UK pay TV channel W.

The BBC’s commercial arm has taken on John Bishop: In Conversation with…, a 10x60mins series in which British comedian Bishop interviews households named in one-on-one conversations.

Lola Entertainment is producing, with Worldwide distributing.

W has also commissioned a reality format, I’ve Got Something to Tell You, a 6x60mins series from UK indie Zig Zag Productions.

The series, set in an English country manner, will see ordinary people making extraordinary confessions over dinner, drinks or a cup of tea. Amanda Holden (Britain’s Got Talent, pictured) presents, offering support as people deliver life changing news to loved ones.

Zig Zag CEO Danny Fenton described the format as “brand new take on the fixed rig reality genre”. Zig Zag will launch it internationally at MIPTV.

The news comes soon after UKTV rebranded Watch as W.

“These fantastic series demonstrate our ambition for W, both in terms of the extraordinary level of talent that we’re delighted to be working with, and also the breadth and originality of the programmes themselves,” said UKTV director of commissioning Richard Watsham.

“These are two very different, very exciting propositions but together they should start to create a coherent and consistent tone of voice for W’s smart female audience.”

UKTV recently moved its Home channel from pay to free TV, replacing Dave Ja Vu, the Dave +1 channel.