TORONTO, September 7, 2016 – Force Four Entertainment, the company behind Canada’s first fixed-rig series First Dates, has optioned the exciting new Channel 4 UK fixed-rig series The Job Interview, from rights holders ITV Studios Global Entertainment, and will immediately begin seeking a home for the Canadian version of the series.
 
The Guardian raved about the series, saying “The jobs are real, the companies are real, the ads were real, the applicants are real and the interviewers are real, which makes it as refreshing as it is agonizing… It looks set fair to be as compelling, human and humane a series as that other fixed-rig fandango, First Dates.”
 
The Mirror said, “This new fly-on-the-wall show captures nerves, embarrassment - and the sheer terror of your mind going blank during a test".
 
The Job Interview has been a ratings success for Channel 4.  The premiere episode was watched by 1.5 million people, with an 8% share, which was up on the year on year slot by +0.1m and +1 share point.  Young viewers are also gravitating to the series. The Job Interview's 9.4% share among the key 16-34 demo is higher than C4's peak time average share of 8.8% and the viewing age is two years younger than the channel average.
 
The Job Interview was created and produced in the UK by ITV Studios producer Label1. Craig Bohland, ITV’s Vice President, Sales for Canada said, “Force Four is the ideal partner for us to take this new hit format out in Canada.  We’ve had great success working with them on many of our formats, including Keeping Canada Alive, Tricked and The Audience.”
 
Chief Creative Officer John Ritchie of Force Four Entertainment added, “When we heard about this series, we got excited to build on our experience with the hyperreal fixed-rig technology. We believe The Job Interview will be extremely popular in Canada, because we’ve all gone through the stress of applying for a job.”
 
About Force Four Entertainment
With offices in Vancouver and Toronto, Force Four Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading television production companies. Force Four’s vibrant production slate includes award-winning hit shows that air in Canada and sell around the world – in both the unscripted and scripted genres. Some of the company’s most recent unscripted series include Border Security: Canada’s Front Line (65 x half hour; Shaw), Border Security: America’s Front Line; (28 x half hour), Keeping Canada Alive (6 x 1 hour; CBC), First Dates (28 x half hour; Shaw) and Tricked (20 x half hour; Corus/YTV).
 
In 2014, Force Four Entertainment was acquired by Entertainment One (eOne), enabling the company to grow its global business and expand its international connections. Force Four continues to be managed by its former owners, Chief Creative Officer John Ritchie, Chief Operating Officer Gillian Lowrey and President Rob Bromley.
 
Force Four can be found on the web at www.forcefour.com
 
For more information:
 
Jessica Gold
Jgold@entonegroup.com
416.646.2400 x 4147