Best Multiplatform Production Company of the Year: Monkey

13.10.2021

What a way to celebrate turning 21 for Monkey Kingdom, the NBCUniversal International Studios-owned unscripted indie behind long-running powerhouse reality brands such as The Real Housewives of Cheshire and Made in Chelsea (which also celebrated its 21st series in 2020).

Firmly established as a top tier player in constructed reality, the indie has focused on developing in other genres, and the success of ITV2’s variety-meets-sketch series The Emily Atack Show, diverse panel format Don’t Hate the Playaz and entertainment hit Karaoke Club – which this year launched spin-off Karaoke Club: Drag Edition – highlight a business firing on all cylinders.

The coronavirus appeared no problem for a team ably led by Samantha Lawrence, David Granger and Will Macdonald, as Monkey Kingdom produced more than 100 hours during the pandemic. Made in Chelsea moved cast to a Covid-safe bubble in Surrey, Suffolk and the Cotswolds, while sketches were rewrote for Emily Atack to allow for social distancing, and Celebrity Karaoke Club was shot in just a week to allow for testing and isolation.

Commissions also came from Sky 1, for a remake of the Broadcast Digital Award-nominated Dating No Filter, and E4, whose series Pete & Sam’s Reality News not only performed on-screen but drummed up three million Snapchat views, as the indie found ways to reach young audiences.

Monkey was also widely praised for casting the first all-black, all-female line-up on a British TV panel show (Don’t Hate the Playaz) and 40% of Made in Chelsea’s senior team is now from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds. Elsewhere, an LA office opened under the guidance of Ollie Brack.

Here’s to another 21 years.

Source: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-digital-awards-2021/multiplatform-production-company-of-the-year-monkey/5163992.article