RDF in Bristol wins orders worth £7m

The newly established Bristol arm of RDF Television has secured over £7m of commissions in six months.

The newly established Bristol arm of RDF Television has secured over £7m of commissions in six months.

The 135 new hours of largely daytime programming for BBC1 and ITV1 are part of a growth strategy developed by RDF Television managing director Grant Mansfield.

In a move to boost its struggling daytime line-up, ITV1 has ordered a further 70 x 60-minute run of antique series Dickinson's Real Deal. Five celebrity specials of the David Dickinson-fronted show have also been greenlit and are likely to be given a run in the troublesome 5pm slot.

ITV controller of daytime Liam Keelan has also ordered a new 30 x 60-minute series, Rosemary Shrager's School for Chefs, in which the cookery teacher from Ladette to Ladygives aspiring cooks the chance to show off their culinary credentials.

RDF's Bristol division is also close to sealing orders for a new daytime cookery series for BBC2 and two daytime quiz shows.

Mansfield told Broadcastthe development of RDF Television West has been a key growth target for the AIM-listed producer.

'Broadcasters are very keen we make programmes outside the M25,' he said. 'We've taken a 10-year lease on our building. We are there for the long term.'

RDF has lured Jane Millichip, currently managing director of All3Media New Zealand subsidiary South Pacific Pictures, to return as chief operating officer of its rights business. She was previously director of acquisition and development at RDF Rights.