Ross Kemp: Britain & the Mafia
5×60’, Sky History/Crime & Investigation
Ross Kemp investigates Britain’s surprising and deep-rooted links with the mafia dating as far back as the 1920s. Ross will start his investigation in London, and travel to New York, Italy, Colombia, and Spain. On his travels, Ross will be speaking with those closest to mafia bosses, top organised crime investigators, and some who have been affected by their crimes. Ross will use this knowledge to trace the complex network of money, drugs, and criminals, in and out of the UK, creating a historical map and timeline to reveal how the mafia has quietly and effectively inveigled its way into the heart of Britain’s underworld.
Bradley Walsh: Comedy Legends
3×90’, Channel 5
Bradley Walsh has been at the forefront of British comedy for the last 40 years and during that time he’s met and been inspired by some of the world’s greatest comedy legends. In this series, Bradley celebrates these comedy heroes and heroines, reflecting on their work and the joy and laughter they brought.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Costa: How do they really do it?
1×60’, Channel 5
Costa coffee is now the largest coffee chain in the UK. With nearly 3000 stores it’s difficult to find a town, service station or even hospital that doesn’t contain a Costa cafe or self-service machine. In this one off programme we’ll uncover the reasons for its seemingly unstoppable success. We’ll look at how the industry giant has combined Italian class with a touch of homely Britishness and how they constantly introduce new drinks with enticing flavour combinations and lure us in with supersized versions of the nation’s favourite biscuits.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
24 Hours in Tesco / Waitrose / Aldi / Lidl
4×60’, Channel 5
In these four programmes and with plenty of access to each supermarket, we unpack everything you need to know about the places we shop the most hour by hour – revealing exactly where they get their produce from, how they make their money; get to the bottom of some of the biggest rumours and myths surrounding these retail behemoths, discover the secret ways they make you spend and reveal the ingenious hacks to help you shop smarter.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Greggs: What’s In It?
3×60’, Channel 5, Netflix
Netflix Top Ten, December 2023
Greggs are Britain’s most favourite restaurant . . . yet they haven’t allowed cameras inside for ten years . . . With exclusive access join esteemed food critic, Grace Dent as she goes behind the scenes to unravel the mysteries of this much-loved brand to try and understand their allure. From donut factories to their food development labs, head office to instore, whilst Grace can effortlessly dissect haute cuisine, even she is confounded by the mysterious essence hidden within a humble Greggs sausage roll. What makes it so irresistibly delicious?
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Jeremy Clarkson: King of Controversy
1×120’, Channel 5
For the last 30 years Jeremy Clarkson has been one of the most controversial people in Britain. He’s made a career out of being outrageous and saying the unthinkable . . . but following recent shocking comments he made in the Sun Newspaper about Meghan Markle has he finally gone too far?
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Costco at Christmas
1×60’, Channel 5, Netflix
Netflix Top Ten, December 2023
Going behind the scenes of one of the most secretive retailers in Britain this Christmas – Costco. In these financially testing times we reveal the inside track on whether bulk buying is the best way to plan your Xmas shopping this year as well as how to become a member of this exclusive shopping club.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Million Pound Buffet
1×60’, Channel 5, Netflix
Netflix Top Ten, July 2023
Presenter, Grace Dent heads to some of the most enticing luxury all you can eat buffets on earth – from the UK to Las Vegas and Rhode Island on America’s East Coast. She’ll find out the tips and tricks behind tackling these mega-buffets before going behind the scenes to discover how these restaurants produce high end food on a massive scale and still manage to make a proft. How do YOU beat the house when it costs up to £100 to eat there?
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Bradley Walsh: The Laugh’s On Me
2×75’, Channel 5
In a personal, hilarious and honest account of his own life Bradley is joined by his nearest and dearest celebrity friends to tell the incredible story of his life and career. With heartfelt and enlightening contributions from pals and peers including Sir Rod Stewart, Jimmy Tarbuck, Jodie Whittaker, Ray Winstone, Vinnie Jones, the Chasers and Olly Murs, we go behind the scenes of an extraordinary career stretching from his time as a struggling comic to Pontin’s Blue Coat to national success as a standup, to celebrated actor and hosting the nation’s favourite game shows.
Ross Kemp: Deep Sea Treasure Hunter
4×60’, Sky History, Season II
Diving deeper than ever before, series two of the hit series will return in Spring 2023 with dives on the iconic Mary Rose, Red Sea, and D-Day landings. In each episode Ross unravels the mysteries behind a multitude of British wrecks and treasure sites finding more artefacts that tell the story of our past.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Adele’s 30 Greatest Moments
1×120′, Channel 5, Netflix
Netflix Top Ten January 2023
This programme celebrates Adele’s triumphant return to the spotlight by counting down the megastar’s top 30 moments since she first burst onto the scene and captured our hearts in 2008.
From record-breaking album releases; chill-inducing emotional performances; professional highs and personal triumphs, through to her funniest moments – this illuminating celebration of Adele’s career and life will provide special insight into her unique personality and world.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Costco: Is It Really Worth It?
1×60, Channel 5, Netflix
A look at the workings of the membership-only retailer, examining if its own-brand products are really premium ones in disguise, and putting them to the test. The programme also explores the history of Costco, looks at the ways it gets its customers to spend, and reveals how the business manages to keep prices so low.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Frontmen
14×60, Reelz, USA Season I
On-stage they are world-famous, flamboyant showmen that have defined generations, inspired millions and created the soundtracks to our lives. Off-stage they are frequently destructive, controlling and angry with highly complex lives who struggle to hold down relationships and often abuse drugs and alcohol. A key ingredient of any frontman is an intense appetite for success and adulation, coupled with great charisma and musical talent. This series of programmes is about the extraordinary individuals who have followed this path.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Ross Kemp: Shipwreck Treasure Hunter
4×60’, Sky History, Season I
In each episode Ross Kemp will be joined by expert diver Emily Turton and maritime archaeologist and expert diver Mallory Haas on expeditions to the most spectacular shipwrecks in the UK, uncovering hidden treasures and history from Britain’s past.
Nominated Maritime Media Awards, The Donald Gosling Award forBest Television or Film Production
Nominated Broadcast Digital Awards 2023, Best Popular Factual
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Britain’s Tiger Kings: On the Trail with Ross Kemp
2×60′, ITV
Ross Kemp goes on the trail of the larger-than-life characters that are Britain’s very own tiger kings and queens. From lions and tigers living in people’s gardens to primates in apartments, crocodiles in semi-detached houses and snakes in suburbia, we ask – why do they want to do it, and is it really fair on the animals?
Distributed by BossaNova Media
https://bossanovamedia.com/programme/king-of-tigers-with-ross-kemp
Agatha Christie: 100 Years of Poirot and Miss Marple
1×90′, Channel 5/Britbox
This programme marks the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s novels following the publication of her first book ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’. This one off celebratory programme explores her ten most iconic works in chronological order; from ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ to ‘And Then There Were None’ and ‘Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case’, these timeless depictions remind us of another age, and also the brilliance of her literature.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Inside the Mind: Freddie Mercury
1×90′, Channel 5, Netflix, Reelz.
Renowned psychiatrist, Dr Bob Johnson, explores the incredibly complex and unusual life of Freddie Mercury. He examines the forces and experiences that shaped his unique personality – from his early life in Zanzibar growing up as Farrokh Bulsara to the creation of his flamboyant, charismatic and chart topping stage persona, Freddie Mercury.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Inside the Mind: Michael Jackson
1×90’, Channel 5, Netflix, Reelz.
Psychiatrist Dr Bob Johnson unravels the life of Michael Jackson and asks what led this complex and controversial figure down a path of self-destruction. From a childhood of abuse and early superstardom to untold riches, accusation and exile, to an untimely death.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Axl Rose: Guns N’ Roses Frontman
1×120’, Reelz US, premiered January 2021
A poignant look at the turbulent life of the definitive self-destructive and unpredictable frontman who achieved stratospheric success as a rock star but whose penchant for destroying relationships became as legendary as his electrifying stage antics.
Distributed by Abacus Media Rights: https://www.abacusmediarights.com
Between them the producers at Honey Bee have made thousands of hours of television for BBC 1, 2, 3 and 4, ITV, Channel 5, Sky and Reelz in the US.
Many of these projects have been distributed globally. Programmes include (click on title to watch):
Sir Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure, 2×60′ ITV
Autopsy: The Last Hours, Seasons 1-10 Reelz USA and Channel 5 UK (drama-doc) over 100 episodes, still in production and sold to 140 territories around the world.
Cribs 8×30’, MTV
Breaking the Band Seasons 1-3 Reelz 24×60’
Paddington 24/7 (Seasons 1-4, ob-doc), C5, 26×60’
Sir Trevor McDonald on Martin Luther King, (Landmark doc for 50th anniversary of his death) ITV/Reelz US/SBS Aus 1×120′
An Hour to Catch a Killer with Sir Trevor McDonald, (formatted doc) ITV, 3×60′
Paul O Grady: The Sally Army & Me (formatted doc) BBC 1 6×30′
Perspectives: Len Goodman on Fred Astaire, (arts doc) 1×60′ ITV
Las Vegas, 24/7 6×60′ Channel 5
Abba: The Day the Women Left C5/Reelz USA 1×120’ (drama-doc)
George Michael: The Rise & Fall C5/Reelz 1×120’ (drama-doc)
Michael Jackson: Man in the Mirror (drama-doc) C5/Reelz USA 1×120’
Prince: Sign O the Times (drama-doc) C5/Reelz USA 1×120’
Devon & Cornwall Police (ob-doc) ITV 4×30′
The Carpenters: Goodbye to Love (drama-doc) C5/Reelz USA 1×120′
In The Shadow of Mary Seacole with David Harewood (Spec Fact): 1×60′ ITV
I Never Knew That About Britain (formatted doc) 8×30′ ITV.
Britain’s Secret Homes, (formatted doc) 5×60′, ITV 1, 9pm, tx’d July 2013
Britain’s Secret Treasures (formatted doc) Series 1 & 2 ITV 1, 8pm, 2012
- Shortlisted Broadcast Best Popular Factual 2012.
- Spin off book
Steps Reunion, (formatted ob-doc) 4×60′, Sky Living, 9pm, 2011
- Shortlisted Broadcast Digital Best Entertainment and Best Popular Factual
There’s No Taste Like Home, (format) 30×60′, ITV 1 Daytime, 2011
Four Weddings Series 3&4 (format) (2×13′ eps) for Sky Living
The Hairy Bikers Bakation (formatted doc) 6×60′ BBC 2
The Hairy Bikers Mums Know Best (formatted doc) Series 1&2, 6×60′, 8×60′ & Xmas special, BBC 2
Gears and Tears, 6×30′, (ob-doc on stock car racing) BBC 1, 10:35pm
Secret Britain, 4×60′, (formatted doc – the top secret beauty spots in the country as decided by the public) BBC 1, 9pm
Countryfile’s Seasonal Specials, 4×60′, BBC 1, 9pm
Make Me White, 1×40′ doc, (Anita Rani goes on a journey to uncover the trade in skin-lightening products) BBC 1, 10;35pm
Coast Series 6 & 2 new specials, 8×60′, BBC 2
Saira Khan Adopts Abroad, 2×60′ ob-doc, (Saira goes to Pakistan to adopt an orphaned girl) BBC 2
Danielle Lineker’s New Step Family – 1×60′ doc, (Danielle reveals what it’s like to be a step-mum to Gary’s children) BBC 3,
Kara Tointon, Don’t Call Me Stupid – 1×60′ doc, (Kara tackles her long-standing issue with dyslexia) BBC 3
The Gatwick Baby – Abandoned at Birth, 1×60′ doc, (Steven Hydes was found as a newborn at Gatwick airport – he goes in search of his Mum) BBC 3
Alice Roberts Wild Swimming, 1×60′, BBC 4
Happy Birthday OU, 1×60′, (a celebration of 30 years of the Open University) BBC 4
How to Read a Church 6×30′, (new talent Richard Taylor decodes the statues and imagery inside churches) BBC 4
To Kill a Mockingbird at 50 1×60’ BBC4