Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

UKTV commissions Battle in the Box for Dave and UKTV Play from Interstellar

24/08/2023

24th August 2023

Jimmy Carr confirmed as host of brand new show

Exciting new format from Koreas Something Special will see pairs of comedians and celebrities go into battle

UKTV today announces Battle in The Box (8x60), a ground-breaking new comedy reality gameshow for award-winning entertainment channel Dave and free streaming service UKTV Play. Produced by Interstellar, the new series is based on a hit Korean format from Seoul based format agency Something Special, and will be hosted by Jimmy Carr.

Battle in the Box will see pairs of comics and some of the nations favourite celebrities battle it out for pride, prizes and most importantly floorspace, in this comedy entertainment and reality hybrid. The eight-episode series will comprise of four tense double bills which will see eight pairs spend 24 hours in the box.

When the clock starts two celebrity teams will move into a completely empty box divided by a moveable wall with nothing but a toothbrush. Once inside, they will only have cameras and each other for company - no beds, tables, chairs or home comforts. Over the course of the day and night, they will need to earn everything by winning a series of physical and mental challenges all set by the orchestrator of this chaos, Jimmy Carr. Winning a game means more space and luxuries for the lucky duo. But theres a catch: more room for one team means less for the losers, as the Boxs sliding wall forces them into an ever-smaller space. And, with games set around the clock, the tide - and the wall - can turn at any time.

Overseeing the proceedings will be host Jimmy Carr who said:

We all know comedians are at their best when theyre tired, hungry and lacking the most basic of human comforts. So, I cant wait to see how theyll fare in the box, with space at a premium and cameras watching their every move. What could possibly go right?

Living in a pressure cooker like no other, Battle in the Box will test the endurance and ingenuity of some of the UKs biggest names from comedy, TV and entertainment.

Battle in the Box is commissioned for Dave and UKTV by Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor and Jason Dawson, commissioning executive and ordered for Dave by Cherie Hall, channel director and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Battle in the Box is produced by Interstellar. Executive producers are Jamie Ormerod and David Williams and the series producer is Tom Corrigan. Filming starts next month and contestants will be announced nearer to transmission on Dave and UKTV Play.

Mark Iddon said:

Finally, we get to answer the classic age-old question of what would happen if Jimmy Carr locked two pairs of comedians in a giant box for 24 hrs to battle to the death (ok, not death) whilst a moving wall threatens to make them live in a space the size of a photo booth? Because, you know, there is nothing like a wall inching in on your personal space to bring out the best in comedy!

Cherie Hall said:

This format balances the perfect mix of challenge in the gameplay, jeopardy via the moving and claustrophobic wall, and a tonne of fun and comedy from the trials and tribulations of our celebs being locked together in a box. An exciting launch for Dave in 2024.

Ormerod and Williams of Interstellar said:

Battle in the Box combines our two favourite genres comedy and reality, in one stand out format that challenges comics and celebs to think outside the box while living inside one. Were delighted to be partnering with Jimmy Carr and the team at Dave to bring it to UK screens.

Jin Woo Hwang and Praise ChanMi Shin of Something Special said:

Something Special is thrilled to collaborate with UKTV and Interstellar on Battle in the Box and see our exciting format come to life on the screen. Audiences love watching celebrities go through tough challenges and it will be fascinating to watch how they strategize to secure their space.

Battle in the Box comes to Dave and UKTV Play next year and joins an array of returning UKTV Originals for the channel including upcoming series Big Zuus Big Eats, David Mitchells Outsiders and Meet the Richardsons.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

For more information, please contact:

Gem Pinkney Head of Consumer Comms, UKTV

Ben Duncan - Consumer Comms Manager, UKTV

About Dave

Sky 111/811, Virgin 127/194, Freesat 157, Freeview 19, Freesat 157

Dave is the award-winning entertainment channel home to a veritable feast of UKTV Original comedy hits from some of the biggest stars in the UK. Comedy entertainment shows like BAFTA-winning Big Zuus Big Eats, Outsiders, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, Hypothetical, Comedians Giving Lectures, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, sit alongside scripted comedies such as Meet the Richardsons, We Are Not Alone and Sneakerhead.

But Dave isnt just restricted to television screens. Theres exclusive online content, with YouTubes Outsiders: Gone Wild with David Mitchell and Get Off My Phone! featuring Grace Campbell, Thanyia Moore, Ania Magliano, Travis Jay and more, as well as Facebook series The Comedy Guide To Life, Bad Advice with Olga Koch and BackChat. Daves partnership with CALM has led to exclusive commissions and innovative online and marketing campaigns such as #BeTheMateYoudWant. Dave also crowns its winner of Daves Joke of the Fringe at Edinburgh each year.

About UKTV Play

UKTV Play is an on demand TV service providing instant access to shows from UKTVs free-to-air channels - Dave, W, Yesterday and Drama.

With the easy-to-use UKTV Play app you can browse and stream hundreds of shows for free via your computer, tablet or smart phone. You can also watch on the telly thanks to Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, NOW and Roku. If youre a Sky or Virgin Media customer, shows from other great UKTV channels - Gold, Alibi, and Eden - are also on the menu. uktvplay.co.uk

About UKTV

UKTV has been at
LINK: https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-commissions-groundbreak...
See more stories from uktv

More from UKTV

07/04/2025

Robson Green takes viewers on the World's Most Amazing Walks in new series for U&YESTERDAY

New series from BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions will see the presente...

18/03/2025

Virgin Media O2 & UKTV renew long-standing partnership

Virgin Media O2 and UKTV have renewed their long-standing partnership in the UK with a multi-year deal securing carriage for UKTV's highly popular pay chann...

03/02/2025

UKTV acquires UK premier of Side Hustlers for U and U&W in deal with ITV Studios

UKTV has acquired the UK premier of Side Hustlers, the US business reality series produced by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine, part of...

27/01/2025

UKTV braves Cape Carnage: Killer Catch in new adventure series for U&Dave

One family's extreme existence working the treacherous northern waters of Australia is the subject of new series from McAvoy Media. UKTV has commissioned a...

20/01/2025

Guy Garvey gets a Proper Job on new U&Dave TV show

Elbow lead singer and Radio 6 Music presenter, Guy Garvey, provides the voiceover for a new TV series on U&Dave and free streaming service U later this month. ...

16/01/2025

UKTV's digital strategy reaps rewards as it doubles views to U streaming service in two years

UKTV more than doubles views to its free streaming service U in just two years (...

14/01/2025

UKTV Ventures partners with digital community for the over 50s, Rest Less, in airtime-for-equity deal

Leading multi-channel broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in Re...

08/01/2025

UKTV and BBC Studios appoint Sophie Judge as Global Acquisitions Manager

UKTV and BBC Studios have appointed Sophie Judge to the role of Global Acquisitions Manager, further strengthening their combined expertise as a world-class hub...

19/12/2024

Teaser released for the re-imagined series of Bergerac on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a first look teaser for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60') on U and U&DRAMA. The six-part U&Original series is produced...

18/12/2024

UKTV goes Down Under for double Prospero commission

UKTV has commissioned two new series from Prospero Productions. Brit Cops Down Under (8x60) for U&W and The Legend of Outback Gold (w/t) (6x60) for U&YESTERDAY ...

11/12/2024

UKTV appoints Emma Tibbetts as Director of Programming for Drama

UKTV has appointed Emma Tibbetts as its new Director of Programming for Drama, as it finalises changes to the structure of its programming team in line with pla...

03/12/2024

U&Gold Reveals Top 10 Topical Christmas Cracker Jokes for 2024!

Keir Starmer, Oasis & and Gareth Southgate all feature in this years top 10 gags TV channel U&Gold challenged the nation to come up with the best topical Chris...

21/11/2024

Divine artistry! The Vicar of Dibley celebrates 30 years, with unveiling of giant stained-glass inspired art installation

Installation includes hidden clues of the show's best and funniest moments a...

21/11/2024

DIVINE ARTISTRY!

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS, WITH UNVEILING OF GIANT STAINED-GLASS INSPIREDART INSTALLATION Installation includes hidden clues of the show's be...

07/11/2024

UKTV completes the rollout of new U Masterbrand with pay channels U&GOLD and U&alibi

UKTV has today completed the rollout of its new U Masterbrand with the commercia...

04/11/2024

Iconic Triumph Roadster returns for the re-imagined series of Bergerac on U and U&DRAMA

Jim Bergerac's iconic Triumph Roadster is set to feature in the upcoming re-...

22/10/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for upcoming Mark Gatiss drama Bookish on Alibi

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Bookish (6x60') on specialist crime drama channel, Alibi. The brand...

10/10/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for Alibi and S4C's upcoming legal crime drama, Mudtown

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original...

08/10/2024

Gold welcomes viewers on Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage

Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes are to reunite for factual entertainment series Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage (3x60') produced by Expectation for Gold, th...

24/09/2024

New episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators to premiere on Alibi before launching on BBC & iPlayer

Fan-favourite Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators has started filming ...

23/09/2024

Sky & UKTV extend multi-year partnership

- Renewed agreement sees UKTV pay channels, Alibi and Gold, together with its free channel portfolio, available to Sky customers - Gold & Alibi also available ...

19/09/2024

UKTV crowns the Classic Car Kings in new restoration series for U&YESTERDAY

UKTV has commissioned the new series, Classic Car Kings (6x60'), for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U. The six-part series ...

18/09/2024

Line up revealed for World's Most Dangerous Roads S6

Johnny Vegas & Lucy Beaumont and Babatunde Al sh & Kae Kurd arethecomedians taking part in brand new episodes of World's Most Dangerous Roads, which return...

18/09/2024

TV channel Gold's Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out is joined by celebrities Emma Bunton, Meera Syal, Ruby Wax and more

The nation's favourite comedy channel, Gold, is set to take a reflective loo...

17/09/2024

FIRST LOOK at Damien Molony in re-imagined series of Bergerac for U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images captured in Jersey for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60') for U and U&DRAMA. The six-p...

16/09/2024

UKTV joins BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 on Freely, the UK's new live and on demand streaming platform

UKTV and Everyone TV - the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the ...

05/09/2024

FIRST LOOK: The Marlow Murder Club welcomes star-studded line-up of guest stars for second series on U and U&DRAMA

Nina Sosanya, Samantha Womack, Hugh Quarshie, Patrick Robinson and many more joi...

04/09/2024

UKTV acquires UK premiere for second series of the Italian Riviera set historical drama, Hotel Portofino on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today announces the acquisition of Hotel Portofino (2 x 6x60') for U an...

28/08/2024

New series of Canal Boat Diaries sees Robbie return to where it all began

UKTV has commissioned another new series of Canal Boat Diaries (10x60) for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U, having licensed th...

27/08/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for upcoming Chris Lang drama I, Jack Wright on Alibi

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, I, Jack Wright (6x60') on specialist crime drama channel, Alibi. Th...

22/08/2024

Katie Piper returns to U&W for new series, Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana

Notorious New Orleans womens prison to open its doors for new documentary series. TV presenter, Katie Piper returns to U&W to once again uncover life for women...

22/08/2024

Guy Martin joins UKTV's roster of talent with his first U&Dave Original series

UKTV is excited to announce the commission of the new series, Guy Martin's P...

19/08/2024

U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024

U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024 10 FUNNIEST GAGS OF THE 2024 EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL REVEALED Comedian Mark Simmons wins U&Dave's Funniest Joke of...

15/08/2024

FIRST LOOK images released for Outrageous on U and U&DRAMA

UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Outrageous (6x60') on U and U&DRAMA. The brand-new drama, created a...

01/08/2024

Live auction special and more as U goes back Under the Bonnet with Bangers & Cash

UKTV's free streaming service, U, to get exclusive Bangers & Cash specials f...

31/07/2024

Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal renewed for further 8 episode run

UKTV has commissioned popular factual label Red Sauce, part of Zinc Media Group, to make a further two seasons of its gritty factual series Special Ops: To Catc...

24/07/2024

W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Young Midwives of Essex

UKTV has commissioned The Young Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu...

23/07/2024

Pete Wicks to front brand new DOG-umentary for U and U&W

UKTV has commissioned brand-new Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake (4x60') for free-to-air entertainment channel U&W, and recently rebranded free streaming serv...

22/07/2024

Wheelie Good Portraits mark the new series of World's Most Dangerous Roads

Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes created using scrap car parts Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes made entirely of sc...

22/07/2024

W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Real Midwives of Essex

UKTV has commissioned The Real Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu-...

22/07/2024

UKTV licenses six shows from Disney Entertainment for Alibi, Drama, Dave and UKTV Play

A Small Light, Mike, Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Sons of Anarchy S1-7, B...

22/07/2024

UKTV Ventures partners with online care marketplace, Elder, in airtime-for-equity deal

Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in the award-...

22/07/2024

UKTV to launch masterbrand U on 16th July 2024

Battle in the Box, Whitstable Pearl series two, Sons of Anarchy and the UK premiere of Orlando Bloom: To the Edge head up launch Brand new original commissions...

22/07/2024

Great-ish News as Dave Gorman Returns to U&Dave

Four brand new specials for iconic hit comedy show examining modern life will air later this year Stand-up comedian and "high priest of comedy PowerPoint" (The...

22/07/2024

Claire Hookway joins UKTV commissioning team for original drama

UKTV has appointed Claire Hookway to the newly created role of Commissioning Executive to bolster the development of the multi-channel broadcasters growing slat...

22/07/2024

Filming begins for Series 4 of Sister Boniface Mysteries

Filming has begun on the fourth series of the hugely popular BBC Studios Drama production, Sister Boniface Mysteries, a BritBox International and UKTV co-produc...

22/07/2024

U&W to spend another series At Home with Katherine Ryan

Comedian Katherine Ryan will once again open the doors to her family home for At Home With Katherine Ryan (4x60') on U&W, Broadcast Digital's Entertainm...

22/07/2024

Global superstar, Cher, stars in new advert from UKTV celebrating today's introduction of U, its free streaming service

The witty story sees Cher travel through new and loved shows from U whilst perfo...

22/07/2024

UKTV launches U Masterbrand on air and unveils global superstar Cher in U streaming advert

Stream on U Today marks the launch of UKTV's new Masterbrand U, which sees...