Makers of the upcoming Welsh language version of Gogglebox have appointed two North Wales companies to produce the new TV show. S4C confirmed that Chwarel and Cwmni Da will co-produce Gogglebocs Cymru.
This is the first time Channel 4's and Studio Lambert's top-rated format has been licensed to another º£½ÇÊÓƵ-based broadcaster. The first episode will air in the first week of November, with S4C currently appealing for people to take part in the show.
With the first episode set to broadcast in the first week of November, 70% of the content will be bilingual Wales-based programming (S4C/ITV Wales/BBC Wales). The remaining 30% will come from º£½ÇÊÓƵ Network broadcasters and streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime.
Criccieth-based Chwarel has been producing documentaries since it first started in 2001. The BAFTA-winning company has created shows such as Channel 4's The Great House Giveaway and S4C's Ty am Ddim.
Chwarel's managing director Sioned Wyn said production the show was going to be "absolutely amazing".
"We've been waiting a long time for something like this. The ambition is to make it not only the top-rated show on S4C but the whole of Wales and beyond," she said.
Cwmni Da has been creating programmes for S4C, BBC and Channel 4 since it began in 1997. The Caernarfon-based company is one of the most successful growing independents in Wales.
Managing director Llion Iwan said: "We'd been talking about working together for a while, so when the franchise for the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's most popular TV format came up - it was a dream come true. Who doesn't want to work on Gogglebocs. So glad we got it."
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Cwmni Da has won numerous BAFTA Cymru, RTS and international awards and is recognised as one of Wales's most successful growing indies.
S4C's chief content officer Llinos Griffin-Williams said: "Gogglebocs Cymru is set to be a gamechanger for S4C. We are thrilled the hit format has been entrusted to us by Channel 4 and that two of Wales’ dynamic indies are coming together to deliver this familiar, much-loved show."
She added: "We’re looking for a cast of exciting characters that truly represent a diverse modern Wales. Gogglebox is a brilliant TV format that captures the hearts and minds of a country. We want S4C to be an inclusive exciting home for the very best of world class content that belongs to the whole nation."
Gogglebox was the second biggest title on Channel 4 last year averaging 5.4m, a 24.5% share and a 39.2% share of 16-34s. Studio Lambert has had 40 worldwide format sales of the franchise.
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