For further information:
Louise Zayed
Senior Press Officer
Tel: +353 1 419 3428
louise.zayed@tv3.ie
Kevin Shore
Press Officer
Tel: +353 1 419 3387
kevin.shore@virginmedia.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
PRESS RELEASE:
Thursday 27th February, 2014.
Sean Moncrieff and 3Studios in ‘Crossfire’.
Crossfire, a 3Studios and Nice group (Scandinavia) co-production, is the THIRD major production from the TV3 Sony HD Studio in 2014.
Moncrieff makes his return to TV as the host of Crossfire.
‘Crossfire’ premieres on Friday 28th March 2014 at 8pm on TV3.
‘Crossfire’ will broadcast weekly on TV3 every Monday and Friday at 8pm.
Sean Moncrieff is available on request for interviews
Sean Moncrieff returns to TV as the host of TV3’s new game show Crossfire. Crossfire, which will be filmed in the TV3 Sony HD Studio in Ballymount, will bring to three the number of major productions from TV3 in 2014.
Other recent shows to come out of the TV3 Sony HD Studio include Keith Barry: Brain Hacker and The Lie hosted by Jonathan McCrea, both of which have exceeded expectations by attracting impressive audiences at peak times. Keith Barry: Brain Hacker reached over 1.6 million viewers in its six week run while The Lie which first premiered on TV3 on February 17th is averaging 209,100 viewers nightly, an impressive 13.5% share.
The TV3 Sony HD Studio will also be home to a new current affairs programme The People’s Debate with Vincent Browne scheduled to air live from Wednesday March 5th.
Co-produced by 3Studios and Gong Media – part of the Nordic independent production alliance Nice group – Crossfire is a unique, fast-paced original format that sees four competitors go head-to-head in an attempt to force each other out of the game.
Each of the contestants undergo the pressure of three diverse rounds of general knowledge questioning, where they each compete to force each other out of the game, and ultimately attempt to win €2000. Competitors must get their answers correct in order to attack the opposition. The tension mounts as the rounds go by, with the winner staying on to the next show, all in the hope of potentially winning big if they can stay on avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
The new game show, which will hit Irish TV screens on Friday 28th March, will show 20 x 30 minute episodes, every Monday and Friday in a primetime 8pm slot. TV3 will also air four celebrity versions of the show which will see well-known names play for a charity of their choice. Celebrity categories will include a current affairs foursome as well as a sports foursome.
Crossfire host, Sean Moncrieff, said: “This is a game show I’d genuinely love to play and I know viewers will be at home shouting out the answers at the TV. We’ve just started filming and there’ll be three shows a day over two weeks so it’s pretty intense. The format of the game means contestants will be singled out from early on, which of course makes for great telly! Ultimately contestants must avoid getting caught in the crossfire – a very difficult task when the questions are being fired at them and the clock starts ticking!”
The continuous stream of productions emanating from 3Studios demonstrates TV3’s increased investment and commitment to home production. The station is strategically positioning itself as a producer of large scale entertainment shows fit for international acquisition. Some of its recent productions, including Brain Hacker, and The Lie as well as Crossfire will be showcased at MIP in Cannes this April. TV3 is also currently in talks with three other big co production partners about new entertainment shows.
Jeff Ford, TV3 Group Director of Content, said: “Crossfire is another superb, big entertainment game show to come from 3Studios. The format is extremely engaging and the high quality set design is second to none. Sean Moncrieff is a fantastic host and perfectly complements the style of the show.
We are already seeing an extremely positive reaction to our new entertainment shows, in particular with The Lie which has got off to a superb start. International broadcasters are noticing the output from 3Studios and I very much look forward to showcasing our 3Studios productions and co-productions at MIP in April.”
Crossfire premieres on Friday 28th March 2014 at 8pm on TV3.
Crossfire will broadcast weekly on TV3 every Monday and Friday at 8pm.
Sean Moncrieff is available on request for interviews
ENDS
For further information
Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity
087 922 4143
Follow TV3
Follow us on Twitter: @TV3Ireland
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TVThreeIreland
Follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/TV3Group
Notes to editors
About TV3 / 3Studios
Launched in 1998, TV3 is the largest commercial channel in Ireland with an 11% market share for Adults 15+, reaching over 2.6 million individuals each week and over 3.6 million individuals each month. TV3 has a bigger market share for Adults 15+ than BBC1, UTV, Channel 4 and Sky 1 combined. Today, TV3 Group has firmly established itself as the leader in TV entertainment in Ireland.
The development of the brand new TV3 Sony HD Studio has allowed for the production of bigger formats and even better content for distribution – giving scope for greater impact in the international market.
Recent commissions include Tonight with Vincent Browne, Celebrity Apprentice: You’re Fired!, Factomania (360 Productions – a BBC Worldwide format), the new ShowPal™ commercial, Keith Barry: Brain Hacker, Tyrone Production’s School Around The Corner, new shiny floor game shows The Lie and Crossfire. Further commissions in the TV3 Sony HD Studio include The People’s Debate with Vincent Browne, and entertainment shows Algorithm and Fact or Fancy. TV3 are also currently in discussions with a number of production companies in relation to a proposed new soap opera planned for 2015.
About Gong Media/Nice group
Denmark-based Gong Media forms part of the pan-Nordic production group Nice (Nordic Independent Creative Entertainment), which also comprises Monster and Rackett from Norway, NICE Drama, Baluba and Titan Television from Sweden, and Moskito from Finland. Founded in 2008, Gong produces develops and produces original TV formats, including Shop Amok, The Greatest Gift and Too Fat To Fight, which won the 2011 Danish TV Award for Best Reality Show. The company also has several international formats to its credit, including The Angry Carpenter, Deal With It and This Is Your Fridge.
About Sean Moncrieff
Seán Moncrieff was born in London to his mother from Co. Mayo and father from Edinburgh, Scotland. When he was 12, his family moved to Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, where he attended Garbally College. After school he studied journalism in Dublin and, later on, did a degree in English and Philosophy in UCD. His television credits include his own chat show Good Grief Moncrieff!, comedy panel show Don't Feed the Gondolas, and The Restaurant of which he is the voice. Moncrieff has also written novels and non-fiction. He currently presents the weekday afternoon radio show Moncrieff on Newstalk. The show has received praise from reviewers and won eight PPI Radio Awards. Moncrieff has also been voted Radio's Sexiest Voice!
Virgin Media Television launches its Spring TV Schedule
Monday 23rd, 17:13pm
The World TV Premiere of ?Cardboard Gangsters?, Brand New Christmas Specials and Family Movie Fav
Wednesday 13th, 15:52pm
TV3 announces presentation team and panel for its coverage of the NatWest Six Nations 2018
Tuesday 12th, 16:49pm
?Quote Devil Insurance? Renews Sponsorship of Virgin Media Television Weather
Monday 15th, 17:15pm
TV3 Group to rebrand as Virgin Media Television
Thursday 28th, 13:10pm
Virgin Media and TV3 secure rights to all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches
Tuesday 15th, 11:12am