Discovery has further outlined its commitment to local production with the announcement of a new slate of programmes across local drama, documentary and comedy in 2022.
Discovery, which owns Newshub, says it is cementing Three as the home for local comedy with a comprehensive strategy that includes two brand new comedy series and a multi-year partnership with The New Zealand Comedy Trust.
The partnership will deliver a range of comedy content across Discovery's linear and digital platforms, showcasing established and emerging talent. Further details will be announced in 2022, and will include four comedy events that will play out across multiple nights on Three: The Comedy Gala, The Great Comedy Debate, Last Laughs and 7 Days Live.
Two new comedy series, Double Parked and Homebound 3.0 will also air next year. Created and written by Chris Parker and Alice Snedden, Double Parked follows young couple Nat and Steph who are left dumbfounded when a 'disappointing' trip to the IVF clinic and a 'botched' home insemination job actually leaves both women pregnant.
Homebound 3.0 is a comedy from up-and-coming writer Sam Wang about surviving living at home in your thirties, even if it means faking a relationship to get your autocratic Chinese parents off your back.
Further documentary programming is also confirmed for 2022. Black Coast Vanishings is a true crime mystery series about the disappearance of six people in the small coastal town of Piha, that has divided the locals and given rise to fear and suspicion.
Being Chlöe is a feature documentary that will closely follow Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick through to the next general election - exploring her political and personal life.
Brand new local drama Far North will also debut in 2022. Far North is the true story of how the most comically inept gang to ever join forces got half a billion dollars' worth of meth to New Zealand shores - and nearly to market. And they would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for that 70-year-old diesel mechanic and his aqua-aerobics instructing wife.
Discovery's Senior Director of Programming Juliet Peterson says: "Our local programming slate across drama, documentary and comedy for next year is truly phenomenal. I am particularly proud of the incredible comedy strategy Three will kick off the new year with. There is no doubt we are taking ownership of the comedy space on television next year and we look forward to sharing more on our comedy programming line up in the new year."
These new programmes will sit alongside new seasons of local favourites on Three which include: Mean Mums, New Zealand Today, Patrick Gower On, David Lomas Investigates and Piri's Tiki Tour.
New Zealand's longest running television comedy 7 Days is also back next year for its 14th season. The revamped series will see it move to an earlier time slot of 7:30pm and will increase to one-hour episodes, reflecting Discovery's commitment to more hours of local comedy on Three.
Far North and Black Coast Vanishings are funded with the support of Te Puna Kairangi - Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund.
Double Parked, Homebound 3.0, and Being Chlöe are all funded with the help of NZ On Air.
Returning shows 7 Days, Patrick Gower On, David Lomas Investigates are also funded with the help of NZ On Air.
Piri's Tiki Tour is funded by Te Māngai Pāho.
Discovery
