Guinness World Records launches new production arm, GWR Studios

Karen Gilchrist

Guinness World Records (GWR) is launching a new content production arm, GWR Studios, which will lead the creative development, production and broadcast of original content.

GWR is considered the world’s leading authority on record breaking achievements and GWR Studios will sit within its TV and digital division, producing content for both external broadcast and brand partners and for digital platforms, including GWR’s owned channels.

GWR Studios will be headed by Karen Gilchrist, VP of television and digital and Kathryn Hubbard, head of content licensing for GWR, two executives with a track record of producing and distributing content for US Studios and national broadcasters worldwide including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 in the UK.

With the launch of GWR Studios, the team has also expanded with the recent addition of development producer Kate Monaghan to lead the growth of the division’s development slate.

Kathryn Hubbard

GWR Studios will be presenting three new series available for localisation at MIPCOM this week, including Guinness World Records: Shorts (10 x 10-minutes) a series of films that introduce audiences to some of the most amazing people on the planet and the stories behind their world-records.

Best Of The Best (22 x 30-minutes), meanwhile, delves into the archives of Guinness World Records to uncover a treasure trove of awe-inspiring records. New for 2022, Season two will add a further 10 episodes to the series featuring extraordinary feats of endurance, exceptional bodies, breath taking magic and athletics.

Guinness World Records: Gone Viral (20 x 30-minutes) is a fast-paced clip show featuring sporting and fitness feats with “a unique Guinness World Records twist”. Each episode centres on a different theme ranging from juggling, to acrobatic skills, to incredible feats of strength

Alongside developing new in-house content and formats GWR Studios will continue to work with its network of production partners worldwide with a raft of commissions set to launch over the next few months.

This Autumn, Best in the World will launch on CBBC, a new children’s clip show produced by Electric Robin, while the Banijay Italia-produced shiny-floor format Lo Show Dei Record will return to Italy next Spring with 10 new two-hour episodes.

Karen Gilchrist said: “GWR Studios will bring together the outstanding production, brand and talent expertise that sits within Guinness World Records to create content that celebrates the amazing achievements of our record holders worldwide. Behind each record attempt is a compelling and authentic story and at GWR Studios we’re uniquely placed to tell these.”