Channel 4 picks up two Spirit Studios' shows for its digital channels

The UK independent production company Spirit Studios announces a brace of digital first commissions for Channel 4’s digital channels. The first is six-part comedy series "Funraisers" which features comedian Tom Ward who invites two up-and-coming comedic talents or influencers to join him in his charity shop HQ, where he will assign them anarchic, nerve-testing tasks.

The second commission is a ten-episode factual true crime series "Outsmarting…" in which individuals who once outsmarted kidnappers, con artists and all manner of people who meant them harm, reveal their riveting stories. Fascinating witness interviews are intercut with a psychologist who analyses their story to extract takeaway tips so viewers can learn how to spot the same dangerous behavioural patterns.

Both shows will be produced for multiple Channel 4 social channels including Channel 4.0 on YouTube, Facebook, Snap, Instagram and TikTok.

Digital Commissioning Executive, Thomas Pullen commissioned "Funraisers" and Digital Development Executive, Hanzla MacDonald commissioned "Outsmarting…" for Channel 4. Executive producers are Matt Campion and Morgan Jones for Spirit Studios.

Matt Campion, founder of Spirit Studios, added “We’re thrilled to be working with Channel 4 on these two very different formats. It’s great to be launching a brand new comedy series that has huge potential to run and run. And it’s equally exciting to see Spirit move further into factual docs, especially in the very popular true crime space.”