Channel 4 is plotting two new entertainment shows which it hopes will showcase ‘exclusive live performances from the past, present and future of music’.
Currently, only the BBC’s long-running Later…with Jools Holland series provides bands with a regular dedicated live platform on UK television, but the new shows from Channel 4, one of which is to be fronted by Radio 1 haircut Nick Grimshaw and entitled The Music Show, look set to change that.
“The level of engagement shown by both the independent sector and the music industry has been exceptional,” head of formats C4 formats Dominic Bird has said. “Bringing a mainstream audience to music is a real challenge and these two shows provide us with a great opportunity to put music back on the agenda.”
Channel 4’s music commissioning editor Jonathan Rothery adds: “We said last year that we wanted to provide a bigger platform for music on Channel 4 and the response from indies has been amazing – around 50 companies pitched over 100 ideas.”
“We’ve chosen these two fresh approaches to take to pilot, with a view to commissioning a full series for later this year.”
A second show called Smells Like Friday Night will provide an hour of live music and is presented by Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule of Rizzle Kicks, comedian Rob Beckett and Billie Porter.