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Man Possessed will produce brand new commission The Switch    
 
Possessed, the fast-growing ITV Studios label, is setting up Man Possessed, a regional base in Manchester’s MediaCityUK, with The Switch, a brand-new commission for ITV, the first show to be produced from there.  
 
Man Possessed will be headed up by former BBC Commissioner Caroline Roberts-Cherry, the Creative Director of Saffron Cherry, the award-winning multi-genre production company she established in 2013, which is also based in Manchester. In her capacity as a freelance executive producer, Roberts-Cherry has already worked with Possessed, having overseen three series of the label’s ITV daytime quiz show, Cash Trapped.   
 
The Switch is a new quiz show for ITV daytime, fronted by Sanjeev Bhaskar in his first quiz show hosting role. Fast, funny and play-along, the show has more questions than any other ITV quiz show.
 
During the quiz, all players can accumulate big cash totals by answering super quickfire “easy money questions”. However, in order to take home that cash, they must survive “The Switch”, a series of three super hard multiple-choice questions that each have only one incorrect choice. Whichever player selects the single wrong answer is switched out of play and must hope one of the others makes a mistake and switches places with them. Whoever is switched out at the end of the round instantly leaves empty-handed, even if they have the most cash. This means the opportunity to win and go home with your money is up for grabs right up until the very last question in every game.
 
Glenn Hugill, Managing Director and Founder of Possessed, said: “We cannot wait to create more opportunities for regional commissions and The Switch is the perfect show to launch Man Possessed. It’s fast, genuinely funny and incredibly tense in equal measure, with Sanjeev proving an absolute revelation as host. Plus, you never know who is going to win until the last question, every single time.
 
“Caroline has the Possessed gene. She is a peerless programme maker and is another outstanding addition to our exceptional team.“ 
 
The opening of Man Possessed follows the recent announcements that Adam MacDonald and Lesley Davies have joined the label as Chair and Head of Production respectively, and that popular primetime ITV quiz show, 5 Gold Rings, has been recommissioned for two more series.
 
Prior to Saffron Cherry, Roberts-Cherry was a multi-platform cross genre commissioner for BBC Learning, where she commissioned digital titles such as Our War, The Great British Sewing Bee, Exploring India and Inside the Houses of Parliament, after working as an Executive Producer, including on Mastermind (2003-2012), A Question of Sport (2003-10) and Alesha’s Street Dance Stars (2011). In 2016, she won RTS and BAFTA awards for the film Ten Pieces II for BBC2 and cinemas.
 
As well as 5 Gold Rings and Cash Trapped, Possessed’s impressive slate also includes the recent BBC One commission, Catchpoint, a physical quiz show set for Saturday teatime co-produced with fellow ITV Studios label, 12 Yard, and hosted by Paddy McGuinness.
 
Man Possessed adds to an extensive ITV Studios presence across the nations and regions. Half of its 24 UK labels are based, or have satellite bases, outside of London, including in Glasgow, Cardiff, Plymouth, Manchester and Leeds.

We’re currently recruiting for a Development Team Assistant here at Possessed.

The main purpose of the role is to provide administrative support for the development team, Managing Director and Head of Production. Yes, you’ll be booking meeting rooms, helping to organise travel and processing expenses, but as a valued member of a small team, you’ll also have the chance to work closely with us to deliver our existing commissions and participate in developing brand new ideas by helping to put on quiz and game show run-throughs, casting contestants and writing questions.

This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who loves unscripted TV and has the imagination and drive to turn their creativity into a media career. Previous successful applicants have gone on to take more senior roles on our development team and on our productions. No specific experience or media related degree is necessary; it’s your enthusiasm, passion for TV and fresh ideas that count.

To be considered to become part of the Possessed team, please complete an application form via the ITV Careers Website here. here

Applications close on the 30th Ocotober – so be quick!

We’re thrilled to announce that our brand new game show Catchpoint (a co-production with 12 Yard) is coming to the BBC. Check out the full press release below.

Catchpoint, hosted by TV favourite Paddy McGuinness, is a co-production from Possessed and 12 Yard and is the very first physical game show where contestants can get their hands on the answer using both their brains and balls. Brains are required to answer the various questions asked and then players will need to think fast as they try to catch balls of various sizes which will be dropped from the studio ceiling.

The premise of the game is simple, don’t drop the ball! In the studio, ten large rectangular LED screens are positioned along the back wall of the Catch Zone. These screens will display the answers to each question that the players will face. Suspended above the Catch Zone are ten trapdoors – each containing a ball. Only the trapdoor that is located directly above the correct answer screen will open and send a ball plummeting to earth.

All the players must do is stand in front of the screen that they think is displaying the correct answer, press the button to release the ball and then catch the ball when it drops from the correct answer trapdoor. If you’re standing in the right place it should be a piece of cake but get it wrong and you’re going to have to rely on fast moves and quick reflexes not to drop that ball!

With a variety of rounds, all leading up to an exciting finale where a cash prize is at stake, Catchpoint is a family-friendly game show combining physical fun with a new and exciting question mechanic in the ultimate battle of brains and balls.

Paddy McGuinness says: “I’m thrilled to be hosting Catchpoint. It’s always exciting being part of a new show, especially one that involves so many fun elements. I can’t wait to get started!!! Now where did I put those cricket gloves?”

Catchpoint (6×30′) is a Possessed and 12 Yard co-production for BBC One. The Executive Producers are Glenn Hugill for Possessed and Andy Culpin for 12 Yard. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Kalpna Knight-Patel.