ITV2 TO COMMISSION FIRST DRAMA IN OVER A DECADE

ITV commissioning seeks youth-skewing Scripted and Factual.

Speaking at the Creative Cities Convention ITV’s Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions, Paul Mortimer, has announced that he is looking for scripted titles and factual shows that appeal to young audiences, that he will commission for the ITV2 brand and ITV Hub.

Mortimer explained that he is working Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment at ITV and her team, to develop the new commissioning strategy.

Sue Murphy, ITV’s Head of Factual Entertainment said: "It's an exciting time to be commissioning brand new, younger-skewing factual for ITV2 and Hub. A great opportunity for us and for Producers to find compelling stories that really matter to younger, light audiences. We want to encourage bold and innovative approaches to factual storytelling to satisfy the appetite for dramatic and visceral documentary."

Mortimer also revealed that they are looking at a true crime anthology series for this Autumn, with the spotlight on online crime, saying “there are some fascinating stories that we have got or are seeking access to. We are looking to tell fresh and interesting stories not least as a means of raising a warning flag for younger audiences to some of the things that can happen in this space.”

Paul also described how “We’re expanding what we are doing, we’re investing a bit more, in terms of scripted, in drama and comedy for young audiences.

For the ITV2 brand, we’re actually in pre-production with a drama which will land next January, which is really exciting as we haven’t done an original fully funded UK drama in a while.”

An announcement will be issued later this spring on ITV2’s first new drama commission in nearly a decade, a brand new series aimed at teenagers.