The popular Channel 4 series, Chateau DIY, will now be produced in Yorkshire, marking a significant move for the show.
- A two-year deal has been secured with Spark Media Partners to host production in Sheffield.
- Key figures Jayne Stanger and Jo Street play pivotal roles in the show’s recommissioning and expansion.
- Streaming successes and expanding episode counts demonstrate Chateau DIY’s growing audience and appeal.
- The show’s festive series will continue, with more episodes planned for the upcoming years.
The esteemed Channel 4 series, Chateau DIY, known for documenting the restoration of ancient French chateaux, is set to move its production to Yorkshire. This decision comes as a result of a newly secured two-year contract with Spark Media Partners, positioning its future operations at their Sheffield establishment. This marks a momentous shift for the franchise, originally launched by Spark Media in 2018.
Esteemed figures behind the recommissioning involve Jayne Stanger, Senior Commissioning Editor for Lifestyle, and Jo Street, Director of Commissioning for Nations and Regions. Stanger, expressing enthusiasm over the initiative, emphasized the opportunity to work alongside Spark Media North to deliver more captivating content over the following two years. Her sentiments were echoed by Spark’s Chief Creative Officer, Joff Hatfield-Powell, whose leadership since the inception of Chateau DIY has been pivotal.
Statistics reveal a notable success trajectory for Chateau DIY, with a 30% increase in streaming figures for its seventh series. The show maintained a substantial presence in Channel 4’s 5pm slot in 2024, securing a peak audience share of 8% and averaging 622,000 viewers. Such figures comfortably surpass the standard benchmark, underscoring the series’ popularity and robust viewership.
Continuing to engage its audience, Chateau DIY’s Christmas variant, which first aired in 2021, is set to progress with two additional five-part series slated for 2024 and 2025. This expansion aligns with the overall increase in episode production, growing from the traditional 30 hour-long episodes to 45 for each series in upcoming years.
The strategic relocation and expansion efforts underline Chateau DIY’s sustained growth and popularity.
