Tuesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

UKTV axes Silence is Golden

UKTV’s Silence is Golden, the debut commission for Richard Bacon’s Yes Yes Media, been cancelled after one series, Broadcast can confirm.

Silence is Golden gave a studio audience £250,000 with the rule they can only keep hold of the money if they remained completely quiet, with 30 acts led by comedian captains attempting to break their silence. Read more

Escapade to sell Isabella Rossellini doc

Australia’s Escapade Media has secured sales rights to Groupe Elephant’s documentary A Season with Isabella Rossellini, which will be rolled out at Mipcom.

The 1 x 55-minute show, which debuted in 2023, is directed and filmed by former M6 exec Marian Lacombe and reflects on Rosellini’s storied life as a model, actor, and daughter of Ingrid Bergman and filmmaker Roberto Rossellini.

Escapade’s Natalie Lawley said: “This beautiful film provides a very intimate portrait of one of the most iconic stars of today. There is so much more to Isabella Rossellini, this is a candid and honest reveal of her colourful life.”

Sideline sets Adam Clayton-fronted music doc

Dublin-based Sideline Productions is launching an 85-minute feature doc exploring the legacy of Irish showbands, fronted by U2 bassist Adam Clayton.

Ballroom Boom is based on RTÉ’s two-parter Ballroom Blitz and explores the Irish showband scene over the past 65 years, which provided opportunities to musicians ranging from Van Morrison to Rory Gallagher.

It also tracks how the scene responded following the gunning down of three key musicians in 1975. The original show debuted on BBC Two - distributor details for the new series are yet to be confirmed.

Mediaset Italia expands in Romania

Orange Romania is to roll out the Mediaset Italia channel following a carriage deal with the telco.

Mediaset Italia offers a selection of the most popular programs from its generalist channels – Canale 5, Italia 1, and Rete 4 – incuding dramas, films, entertainment, talkshows, news, and reality TV.