Channel 4 is expanding the “Taskmaster” universe with six seasons and a junior version

EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has been handed over teacher an unprecedented six-season extension and the green light for a junior version of the comedy panel show.

Demonstrates the network’s commitment to Avalon’s long-standing format, the eight-parter Junior Task Manager aimed at older children and young teenagers. Children aged 9 to 11 are being recruited to bring their athleticism and creativity to the new show, which the hosts will soon announce.

Junior Task Manager will air before the turn at 21:00 GMT (14:00 PT) and joins a list of Channel 4 extras aimed at younger people, including Junior Bake Off And first date PG and family friendly versions of teacher already aired on YouTube and attracting a large audience, while a teacher training project and school work Not-for-profit is used by schools in the UK.

Avalon, the producer of the main show, is behind it Junior Task Manager. The star struck And catastrophe The producer is also in the process of creating a co-written and co-written six-part scripted comedy series teacher Creator and presenter Alex Horne.

“Over the years I’ve seen so many comedians flounder when given simple directions, and I expect the same from my competitors Junior Task Managerr to be more capable and just as funny,” Horne said.

Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment at Channel 4 added: “Following the success of our teacher‘New Year’ Spoil Specials to extend it teacher along the universe Junior Task Manager is incredibly exciting.”

Following Derry Girls and glasses box last year, the last teacher The series ranked among Channel 4’s top three 9pm programs in terms of share of the coveted 16-34 demographic, according to Channel 4.

Six more seasons

Helped by Horne mediator star Greg Davies, teacher features groups of celebrities – mostly comedians – trying their hand at a series of comedic challenges, most of which can be performed at home or in the office, or involve a joke. In recent seasons names like Frankie Boyle, Mae Martin, Greg James and Munya Chawawa have taken part.

teacher has been described by Channel 4 Head of Events Tom Beck as “the funniest and most creative show on TV” and it’s incredibly rare to see the network commit to an entertainment program for so long. Two seasons per year will be rolled out until 2026.

The move is an enrichment for teacher Success since it was acquired by UKTV broadcaster Dave three years ago, where it ran for several seasons between 2015 and 2019 and acted as a springboard for many up-and-coming British comedians. It regularly draws more than 2 million consolidated viewers in its Thursday 9 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. PT) slot, according to Barb data from Overnights.tv, and continues to perform well with critics.

In the US, the show was acquired by The CW in 2020, but was canceled after just one episode due to poor ratings. However, full episodes regularly get millions of YouTube views, and were the subject of a recent one Atlantic Ocean Profile.

Taskmaster EPs include Horne, Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, James Taylor, Jon Thoday and Andy Devonshire, who also serves as series director, while Andy Cartwright also remains as series producer. Beck and Harris are commissioners.