C5 orders fixed-rig family format

The untitled, 6 x 60-minute series is currently in production and will make use of specially designed portable rigs to highlight the lighter side of family life.

The six families, located across the country, will also capture footage of themselves using tablets and mobile devices.

Each episode centres around a different element of family life, such as doing the chores, to show how the same issues are addressed in very different ways. The format is scripted and narrated by Mock The Week star Hugh Dennis.

The show, ordered by C5’s commissioning editor of factual, news and current affairs Michelle Chappell, was unveiled by director of programming Ben Frow at the Broadcast Commissioning Forum last week.

“Plimsoll brought the idea to us, we liked it and they were able to make it for a good price - so it is worth the risk,” said Frow. “It has such a different tone to anything else I have at 8pm but because of that I’m still not convinced it will be a hit.”

He added that finding the right title for the programme would be a significant factor in its success.

“We need to find the right title to convince me it will be able to punch through,” he said. “The Yorkshire Vet, 41 Dogs in a 3 Bed Semi, How The Other Half Live – you know what they are and the titles hit you between the eyes.”

Grant Mansfield and Karen Plumb will exec produce for Plimsoll, which is responsible for shows including C5’s My Million Pound Council House, Channel 4’s Rescue Dogs to Super Dogs and ITV’s Life at the Extremes.