UKTV History to show 'Britain's Best'

UKTV History has signed Alan Titchmarsh to present a new interactive show.

Britain's Best will encourage the British public to nominate and vote for their favourite historic site in the UK.

Launching online March 9, the multi-platform commission includes interactive TV, online and mobile activity, and two 5-part TV series' in April and July, plus a 90-min special which will air in September.

UKTV’s Adrian Wills, channel head of UKTV History and UKTV Documentary, said “We’re investing the channel’s entire 2007 commissioning budget into this ground-breaking event so we can deliver high quality content created specifically for each platform – television, online and mobile – a first here at UKTV. We want to actively engage and build a community that is as passionate about Britain’s rich heritage as we are.”

Titchmarsh will visit 25 historic sites, with viewers able to vote for any of these 25 or nominate and vote for any other sites that matter to them, either online, by phone or the interactive TV red button. They will also be able upload video content of their favourite historic sites to the website for other users to view online or download to their mobile phones.

The show has managed to secure partnerships with nearly 100 organisations including History Matters: Pass It On, English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces, to help put the show together.

Ordered by Wills and Jo Clinton-Davis, UKTV’s head of commissioning, the series' are being produced by All3Media-owned producer Lion TV.