C4 books a Place in the Sun

Both formats will be shown across several runs starting next year, appearing in the 11am slot, a time the broadcaster has earmarked for property programmes.

C4 head of daytime Helen Warner ordered the programmes, but the channel may broadcast some of the series in a primetime slot, following a solid Friday night run this summer. A 10-episode series from April to June drew an average consolidated audience of 1.1 million (4.62%).

Warner said: “I’m delighted to be recommissioning A Place In The Sun and A Place In The Sun: Home Or Away. It is a very popular show and it will be great for viewers to have brand new episodes to enjoy.”

Presenters Jonnie Irwin and Jasmine Harman are returning to guide house-hunters as they look for properties both abroad and in the UK. Among the locations featured are Florida, where Irwin will find out how dramatically prices have fallen, and the Caribbean, where Harman will find homes for prospective buyers.

Ann Lavelle and Antoine Palmer, directors of Freeform Productions, will be the executive producers on the series.

Freeform Productions has been making the format since 1998 when it produced the first non-TX pilot for C4.

C4 Daytime recently received an extra £2.5m funding for commissioning this year, with 40% going to Scottish commissioning.

Speaking about the investment at the Edinburgh International TV festival, C4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt said: “Daytime should be as compelling as the rest of the day. It needs a USP, something with a slightly more irreverent tone.”

Adding to the channel’s daytime property line-up is Location, Location, Location’s Phil Spencer, whose new show Phil Spencer: Secret Agent is due to start in October.

Spencer will be helping property owners find buyers as he makes it a personal challenge to ensure properties are sold.