Greenlit: Romesh’s Return Ticket, BBC3

Romesh’s Return Ticket w/t (6 x ) –  Stand-up comedian Romesh Ranganathan travels to Sri Lanka to connect with his roots. The people he meets, the places he goes, the experiences he has will all have been set up by his mum, who is sending her son on the trip she has always wished he’d […]

Greenlit: Cuban Chrome, Discovery

Cuban Chrome –  After the 1959 Cuban Revolution and the subsequent United States embargo, it has been illegal to import American cars to the island nation – as a result, Cuba’s vintage American vehicles are frozen in time, and each of these cars has a unique story to tell. For Cubans, these cars are not […]

Greenlit: Rome: The World’s First Superpower, Channel 5

Rome: The World’s First Superpower (4 x 60′) – Award-winning actor Larry Lamb, star of Gavin and Stacey, EastEnders and the host of his own new Sunday show on LBC Radio is a life-long Roman history geek. In this series Larry traces the dramatic story of Rome’s spectacular rise from a city to a republic and then a […]

Greenlit: Chrome Underground, Discovery

Chrome Underground – Yusuf and Antonio are not your typical car hunters. They work in places no other car collector would dream about stepping foot – traveling inside lawless countries in search of rare, vintage cars owned by the local underworld. The payoff can be huge but so are the risks. Can the guys actually […]

Greenlit: The Mystery of Rome’s X Tombs, BBC2

The Mystery Of Rome’s X Tombs w/t (1 x 60′)  – Historian Dr Michael Scott unlocks the secrets of a mysterious tomb recently discovered in one of Rome’s famous catacombs. Found by accident following a roof collapse, the tombs contained over 2000 skeletons piled on top of each other. This was quite unlike any other underground […]

Greenlit: Mothers, Murderers and Mistresses: Empresses of Ancient Rome, BBC4

Mothers, Murderers and Mistresses: Empresses of Ancient Rome (3 x 60′) – Documentary series telling the dramatic story of how exceptional women came to stand at the epicentre of imperial power. The series is presented by Professor Catharine Edwards, Birkbeck, University of London. Catharine travels across the empire, from its heart in Rome to its […]

Greenlit: Treasures of Ancient Rome, BBC4

Treasures of Ancient Rome (3 x 60′) – The Romans are known for being brilliant engineers and soldiers, but when it comes to art it’s widely believed they simply plundered or copied from other civilisations. Alastair Sooke argues that the old fashioned view that the Romans didn’t do art is nonsense. He traces how, during […]

Greenlit: Fantastic Rome, Eurochannel

Fantastic Rome (Roma Fantastica) – Documentary that explores Rome, and the history of Italian film,  via the Italian horror movies have been filmed in the city. Channel: Eurchannel Director: Luigi Cozzi (Italy) TX: 11th May 2012 Source: Eurochannel

Greenlit: Romeos & Juliets, CBC

Romeos & Juliets (1 x 60′) – Documentary that goes behind the scenes with the National Ballet of Canada as they put on a production of Romeo & Juliet. Channel: CBC Producer: Shaftesbury TX: Spring 2012 Source: C21

Greenlit: Rome with Mary Beard, BBC2

Rome With Mary Beard  (3 x 60′) – A new series that delves deep into ancient Roman society, in the heart of Rome itself. But it is not the rich and famous or the battles and blood of the gladiatorial arena that will take centre stage, using the latest archaeological evidence and historical analysis to […]

Greenlit: The Lost Ships of Rome, National Geographic / WNET

The Lost Ships of Rome ( (1 x 50′) – Documentary that uses underwater archaeology, CGI and interviews with experts to explore five sunken Roman ships off the coast of Italy. Channel: National Geographic / WNET Producer: Windfall Films TX: TBC Source: Broadcast

Greenlit: Rome Unwrapped, C5

Rome Unwrapped –  Documentary series that uses experts and CGI to explore ancient Roman history. Channel: C5 / National Geographic Channel US / NGCI Producer: Atlantic Productions TX: Early February 2011 Source: C21

Rome

John Hooper writes an article about the pleasures and frustrations of living in – as opposed to visiting – Rome: the snarled traffic, two-tier system for locals and tourists,  the sense that anything could happen at any moment and holes in the road that swallow whole cars. Sounds a lot like New York. Read the […]

Greenlit: When Rome Ruled, National Geographic

When Rome Ruled (4×60′) – Documentary series that reveals new research about the Roman Empire. Channel: National Geographic US Producer: Atlantic TX: 2010 / 2011 Source: Cynopsis

Greenlit: Big Life Fix, BBC2

Big Life Fix w/t (3 x 60′)  – This new transformational science series follows a group of designers, engineers, programmers and tech experts as they face the challenge of coming up with innovative interventions that will transform the lives of people all over the UK. From a man with locked-in syndrome who wants to communicate […]

Greenlit: Jonathan Meades: Benbuilding, BBC4

Jonathan Meades: Benbuilding (1 x 60′) – Having investigated the architecture of Hitler and Stalin’s regimes in previous films, Jonathan Meades now turns his attention to another notorious 20th-century European dictator: Mussolini. When it comes to the buildings of the Fascist era, Meades discovers a dictator who couldn’t dictate, as Mussolini was caught between the […]

Greenlit: Two in a Million, TLC

Two in a Million – Imagine living with one of the rarest medical conditions in the world; having no one to confide in who understands the pain, struggles, and isolation of everyday life. In each episode, two people who share the same medical struggles meet and spend one week together, sharing hardships and incredible triumphs, visiting world-renowned […]

Greenlit: DOWNS, BBC1

DOWNS (1 x 60′) – This film explores the impact of a new screening test that is said to be able to detect Down’s Syndrome in 99 per cent of pregnancies. Actor Sally Phillips, who has a child with Down’s Syndrome, sets out to explore this emotionally charged debate and ask what effect the test could have on our […]

Greenlit: Redefining Juliet, BBC4

Redefining Juliet – Follows creative director and wheelchair user Storme Toolis and her group of actors through the rehearsal process of their theatrical production – Redefining Juliet – to the Barbican, where they will stage a triumphant recasting of Shakespeare’s iconic heroine. This theatre production is a unique re-telling of Romeo And Juliet using a […]

Greenlit: Roots Reggae, Rasta & Rebellion, BBC4

Roots Reggae, Rasta & Rebellion (1 x 60′) – From the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, to the streets of Ladbroke Grove, West London, British rapper, poet and cultural commentator Akala tells the story of a golden period in the island’s musical history; they called it Roots Reggae and through artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Max […]

Greenlit: Barbarians Rising, History

Barbarians Rising (8 x 60′) – A docu-drama that reveals the true story of the 700-year struggle to bring down one of strongest empires the world has ever known. It tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire from the perspective of the barbarian rebel leaders. It is a visceral journey into the heart […]

Greenlit: Born This Way, A&E

Born This Way (6 x 60′) – Docu-series following a group of seven young adults born with Down syndrome along with their family and friends in Southern California. Cameras follow the young men and women  as they pursue their passions and lifelong dreams, explore friendships, romantic relationships and work, all while defying society’s expectations. In their […]

Greenlit: Alex Lewis, Channel 4

Alex Lewis w/t (1 x 60′) –  Charts the story of a man fighting to rebuild his life after a devastating infection took his limbs, parts of his face and his independence. Father Alex Lewis came down with a common cold in late 2013 which quickly developed into septicaemia and toxic shock syndrome. With less […]

Greenlit: Jonathan Meades: Ben Building, BBC4

Jonathan Meades: Ben Building  (1 x 90′) –  The inimitable Jonathan Meades presents the last part of his trilogy of films on the architecture of modern dictators. After Jerry-Building: Unholy Relics of Nazi Germany and Joe-Building: The Stalin Heritage Trail comes a journey through the bizarre and (it has to be said) often brilliant architecture […]

Greenlit: The Latin Explosion: A New America, HBO

The Latin Explosion: A New America – With more than 50 million Latinos now living in the United States, Latinos are taking their seat at the table as the new American power brokers in the world of entertainment, business, politics and the arts. As Latinos’ influence in American society has soared, they have entered mainstream […]

Greenlit: The Ascent of Woman, BBC2

The Ascent of Woman (4 x 60′) – Biographer and historian Dr. Amanda Foreman presents a landmark series on the history of women, from the dawn of civilisation to the modern day. This ambitious series sets out to redress a significant imbalance in global history, exploring the extraordinary and often overlooked role women have played […]

Greenlit: Fresh Dressed, CNN

Fresh Dressed – An exuberant chronicle of hip hop and urban fashion – and their global influence on pop culture. The film traces how fat-laced sneakers, Kangol hats, Cazal sunglasses, and graffiti jackets inspired the style and vibe of rap artists and high fashion designers, through its expression of aspirational swagger that gave voice – […]

Greenlit: Battle of Britain: Heroes Fly Again, Channel 4

Battle of Britain: Heroes Fly Again w/t (1 x 60′) –  On 15th September 2015, the 75th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, an estimated 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes from across the UK, USA and Europe will come together at the Boultbee Flight Academy, the world’s only Spitfire Flying School to take part in an historic […]

Greenlit: Growing Up Hip Hop, WE tv

Growing Up Hip Hop (6 x  ) –  The series follows the next generation of hip hop royalty as they attempt to step outside the shadow of their famous families.  Music legends Damon Dash, Rev. Run, Russell Simmons, Master P, El DeBarge and Pepa are always nearby as each up-and-comer tries to build their own […]

Greenlit: Life Begins Now, BBC3

Life Begins Now  (1 x 60′) – Partying, snogging, drinking – for a lot of us, college life is the best of times, but for people with learning difficulties, moving on from this special period in their lives raises unique challenges. This sensitive film spends the last few weeks of term at Derwen College in […]

Greenlit: Employ Me BBC2

Employ Me w/t (3 x 60′) –  Examines the life-changing stories of unemployed people in the UK struggling to find jobs because of a neurological condition. From autism and Tourette Syndrome to ADHD and Down’s Syndrome, the series will follow qualified and/or capable people – many of whom have been trying to find work for […]

Greenlit: Celts, BBC2

Celts (3 x ) – Neil Oliver and Alice Roberts team up to discover the world of the Celts. Travelling across Europe, from Ireland to Turkey, Denmark to Portugal, they seek out brand new archaeological discoveries, some of our greatest ancient treasures, and the very latest scientific studies. With dramatic reconstruction of three pivotal battles […]

Greenlit: Faking It, Discovery Life

Faking It –  Munchausen syndrome is a disorder that compels individuals to fake an illness, inflict harm on their own body or make themselves sick all in the pursuit of attention from doctors, family, or friends. This is an intervention show presented by loved ones that follows people who are faking a series illness or […]

Greenlit: My Son’s Face Won’t Stop Growing, Discovery Life

My Son’s Face Won’t Stop Growing –  This heart-wrenching documentary joins ordinary couple Karl and Vikki Smith on their extraordinary quest to save the life of their 3-year-old son Aidan and solve the baffling mystery of his rare illness. With Aidan’s condition disfiguring, potentially life-threatening and unlike anything seen before in the U.K., the Smith family […]

Greenlit: The Treasures of Ancient Greece, BBC4

The Treasures Of Ancient Greece (3 x 60′) – Alastair Sooke (Treasures Of Ancient Rome, Pride and Prejudice: Having A Ball) explores the riches and unique legacy of Greek art. Episode One tells the story of Greek art from its surprising, often mysterious origins, travelling from Crete to Santorini, Mycenae to Delphi.  Episode Two explores […]

Greenlit: David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Peter, BBC1

David Suchet: In The Footsteps of St Peter – David Suchet journeys through first century Galilee, Jerusalem, Turkey and Rome, in search of Jesus’ closest confidant and Apostle, St Peter. David’s quest: to discover how a lowly fisherman from the shores of Lake Galilee transforms into lead disciple, and eventually the figure which the Roman […]

In: Isaac Densu, Commissioning Editor, Digital Shorts, Channel 4

Isaac Densu has been appointed to a newly created Commissioning Editor role for Channel 4’s digital Shorts channel. Reporting to Richard Davidson-Houston, Channel 4’s Head of All 4 and Digital Content, Isaac will be responsible for commissioning original Shorts for All 4, Channel 4’s new flagship digital proposition, due to launch soon. Channel 4’s Shorts […]

Greenlit: My Big Fat Fabulous Life, TLC

My Big Fat Fabulous Life (9 x ) – After Whitney Thore was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, she quickly gained more than 200 lbs. Once a slender dancer, Whitney felt like a skinny girl trapped in a fat girl’s body; she felt as though her life was over. Struggling with self-doubt and societal pressures, […]

Greenlit: Body Bizarre, Discovery Life

Body Bizarre  ( x 60′) –  Features stories of people living with the most mysterious and incredible medical anomalies, focusing on their total transformation of mind, body, and soul while undergoing treatment. Each one-hour episode uncovers cases from across the globe of real, and really astonishing, medical abnormalities that continue to stump the best doctors […]

Three Ways to Develop Programme Ideas Using Twitter

When labouring at the coalface of a development slate, you need as many tools as you can get your hands on to excavate those elusive gems that are eye-catching enough to catch the eye of a commissioning editor. During a Sheffield Doc/Fest 2014 session Dan Biddle (@DanBiddle), Twitter UK’s Head of Broadcast Partnerships, explained how producers can mine Twitter for breaking news stories, research, audience collaboration and marketing.

As you might expect of a digital platform, Twitter is all about the metrics, and has a host of audience user data that reveals information about Twitter users’ lives. For example, mentions of shopping indicate that Sunday is the biggest day for heading to the shops in the UK and more people go for (or talk about going for) a run on a Monday and Tuesday than they do at the end of the week, when the pub beckons.

But how does this help us in development? (Photo (C) TVMole)

Greenlit: Godfather of Pittsburgh, A&E

Godfather of Pittsburgh (8 x 60′) – For Vince Isoldi nothing is more important than family. Some may say he’s a gangster but according to Vince, he’s just a good businessman. An entrepreneur with a sordid past, Vince has built an empire in Pittsburgh, from nightclubs to real estate, all in hopes of providing a […]

Greenlit: Highway to Sell, Discovery

Highway to Sell – Every guy’s ultimate four-wheel fantasy becomes his worst nightmare when he is forced to choose between the cash he desperately needs and the classic ride he always knew his clunker could become. Across America, neglected classic cars are waiting to be restored and make their way back onto the street. Enter […]

Greenlit: The Autistic Gardener, Channel 4

The Autistic Gardener (4 x 60′) – Follows award-winning gardener Alan Gardner as he leads a team of autistic green fingered amateurs who will use their unique skills to transform neglected gardens across the country. Alan – who himself is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome– believes that people on the autistic spectrum have a potentially special gift […]

Greenlit: Special Needs Hotel, Channel 5

Special Needs Hotel (3 x 60′) –  A stunning building set in beautiful green Somerset lawns, Foxes appears to be a hotel like any other. But in reality it is very different. It is staffed by young people with learning disabilities. This documentary series follows the astonishing stories of a young staff (16-24) with a […]

Greenlit: Alex Polizzi’s Secret Italy, Channel 5

Alex Polizzi’s Secret Italy (4 x ) –  This series embraces Alex’s lifelong love of Italy, with a personal and revealing guide to this beautiful Mediterranean country. Across the series, Alex travels the nation, from North to South, taking in breath-taking cities like Venice, Milan and Rome. She’ll travel along the stunning Amalfi coast before […]

Greenlit: David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D, Sky 3D

David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D (3 x 60′) – The latest landmark 3D series from David Attenborough that uses ground-breaking 3D techniques and technology to tell the story of nature’s greatest aeronauts and the intricate engineering that has allowed them to conquer the skies. Britain’s best-loved broadcaster explores this dazzling world, combining new […]

Greenlit: 13 Days of Blood, Xbox

13 Days of Blood (6 x ) – Interactive docudrama that tells the story of Roman emperor Commodus and a gladiatorial event that saw 13 days of fighting at the Coliseum in Rome that interweaves interviews, dramatic sequences and play-along fight segments. Channel: Xbox Producer: Stephen David Entertainment / Xbox Entertainment Studios TX: 2015 Source: […]

Greenlit: Secret Societies of Hollywood, E!

Secret Societies of Hollywood  (4 x 60′) –  Beyond the red carpet and behind the security gates lies a forbidden Hollywood that only the rich and famous know about …until now. Four specials expose the cults, cabals and underground clubs that exist in today’s entertainment industry: Secret Societies of Hollywood: Deals and Dealers Secret Societies […]

Greenlit: The Brits Who Built the Modern World, BBC4

The Brits Who Built The Modern World (3 x 60′) – The definitive story of five of the most successful and globally recognised British architects of all time: Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, Nicholas Grimshaw, Michael Hopkins and Terry Farrell. The series will gives insights into how their youthful dreams of building a better world turned […]

Greenlit: The Curse of Oak Island, History

The Curse of Oak Island – In the North Atlantic is a mysterious, and possibly booby-trapped island that has fired the imagination of treasure hunters for more than 200 years. Oak Island could be hiding one of the greatest treasures in history, but no one has ever been able to crack the code of how […]