What Spark Media Partners does

Spark Media Partners is an independent UK unscripted television production company founded in 2014 by Mark Baker and Steve Havers, headquartered in Richmond, London, with regional hubs in Sheffield (Spark Media North, 2020) and Belfast (Spark Media Belfast, 2025). The company produces non-scripted entertainment, factual, documentary, lifestyle, and competition formats for UK broadcasters, anchored by Channel 4 as its principal commissioning partner. Core franchises include Chateau DIY (a 250+ episode daytime series broadcast in more than 200 territories), the Ancient Civilisations by Train documentary series with Professor Alice Roberts (Egypt, Greece, Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire, India), and a slate of branded entertainment and competition formats including Battlechefs, The Tower, Iron Men, and Fan-Owned Football. Operations span ideas, development, casting, production, in-house original music, editing, and international distribution, supported by a wholly-owned subsidiary Kindling Media for Chateau IP and an exclusive global distribution partnership with Cineflix Rights.

The business model combines three revenue streams: (1) production fees paid by broadcasters for commissioned content (Channel 4 family, UKTV, BBC), (2) format licensing royalties and finished programme sales executed via Cineflix Rights — including the first international format adaptation, Château DIY Australia with Nine Network — and (3) advertiser-funded / branded entertainment programming where brands such as P&O Cruises and Estrella Galicia finance production in exchange for integration. The company operates a sales-led, event-driven go-to-market model that depends on direct relationships with commissioning editors and active participation in industry events (MIPCOM, Edinburgh TV Festival, Belfast Media Festival). Customer segments are horizontal: UK broadcasters (primary), international broadcasters (geographic extension via format licensing), and brand partners (commercial extension).

Operationally the company is small (11-50 employees) but production-prolific, with 300+ episodes delivered across its formats and recent expansions into book publishing (Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts via Bantam Books, May 2026), podcasts (Pre-Loved Prophets, Chateau DIY Revealed, Adopted Geordies), and a nascent AI initiative delivered through a KTP partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to explore process automation in research and footage management.

Name

Spark Media Partners

Legal name

Spark Media Partners

Website

https://sparkmedia.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spark Media Partners is an independent UK unscripted television production company (founded 2014) producing non-scripted formats including Chateau DIY and the Ancient Civilisations by Train franchise primarily for Channel 4, BBC, and UKTV broadcasters, with international distribution via Cineflix Rights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Television Production Services

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Unscripted/Reality TV Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAC)

Keywords

• Unscripted television production
• Factual entertainment
• Tv format development
• Documentary production
• Branded entertainment content

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. TV Production Fees: Spark generates revenue by producing commissioned content for broadcasters. They receive production fees for creating shows like Chateau DIY, Ancient Civilisations by Train, and other non-scripted programming for Channel 4 and other networks.
2. Format Licensing: The company licenses its format (particularly Chateau DIY) internationally. Their first format sale was Château DIY Australia to Nine Network Australia, with Cineflix Rights as the exclusive distribution partner.
3. International Distribution: Content is distributed internationally through Cineflix Rights, which sells finished programmes and formats to broadcasters worldwide. Chateau DIY airs in more than 200 territories.
4. Branded Content / Advertiser-Funded Programming: Spark creates branded entertainment content for brands, such as The Spanish Job for Estrella Galicia in partnership with Channel 4's digital team, and Battlechefs fully-funded by P&O Cruises for UKTV W.
5. Book Publishing / Content Extensions: Spark has expanded into companion books, with Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts published by Bantam Books, representing a new revenue stream tied to their TV franchises.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spark Media Partners is an independent UK production company that develops and produces unscripted television content, including factual entertainment series, lifestyle shows, documentaries, and game shows. The company creates proprietary format franchises (notably Chateau DIY and Ancient Civilisations by Train) and produces them on commission for UK broadcasters such as Channel 4, BBC, and UKTV, while also generating revenue through international format licensing, branded entertainment, and companion content such as podcasts and books.

Product overview

Spark Media Partners is a multi-genre, award-winning UK production company specializing in unscripted television content. The company operates a portfolio of distinct brands across three main pillars: the Chateau franchise (centered on Chateau DIY and its spin-offs including Chateau DIY at Christmas, Chateau DIY: Living the Dream, and Chateau DIY: Win the Dream); the Ancient Civilisations by Train documentary franchise (Ancient Egypt by Train, Ottoman Empire by Train, Ancient Greece by Train, Roman Empire by Train, and Ancient India by Train in production); and specialized factual/entertainment formats (Battlechefs, Iron Men, The Tower, Tool Club, The Spanish Job, and Fan-Owned Football). The company also produces podcasts (Pre-Loved Prophets, Chateau DIY Revealed, Adopted Geordies), published its first book tie-in (Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts), and operates regional offices in London, Sheffield, and Belfast. A dedicated AI initiative with KTP partnership explores process automation for production workflows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chateau DIY: Channel 4 daytime series following Brits renovating French chateaux. Over 300 episodes produced since 2018, aired in 200+ territories worldwide.
• Chateau DIY at Christmas
• Chateau DIY: Win the Dream
• Chateau DIY: Living the Dream
• Ancient Civilisations by Train
• Iron Men
• The Tower
• Battlechefs

Products and services

• Chateau DIY Long-running Channel 4 daytime series celebrating British people restoring dilapidated French chateaux. Over 250 episodes produced and broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide. Voiced by Adjoa Andoh. Produced for Channel 4 and distributed internationally by Cineflix Rights.
• Chateau DIY at Christmas Festive spin-off of Chateau DIY featuring chateau owners celebrating Christmas in their renovated French properties. Multiple editions produced including a seventh edition commissioned for Channel 4.
• Chateau DIY: Living the Dream More4 spin-off series celebrating individual chateau journeys from purchase through renovation to present day, using archive footage alongside new interviews with original cast members.
• Chateau DIY: Win the Dream 20-part competition show where 12 pairs of contestants compete to win their own French chateau through DIY, renovation, and event-hosting challenges, judged by Max McMurdo. Prize valued up to £250,000.
• Ancient Egypt by Train 4-part historical travelogue series for Channel 4 presented by Professor Alice Roberts, using Egypt's rail network to explore ancient Egyptian civilization and blending travelogue with ancient history.
• Ottoman Empire by Train 5-part series following Professor Alice Roberts exploring the Ottoman Empire from Adana on the Turkish-Syrian border through the Taurus Mountains, Istanbul, and the Balkans to Budapest. Co-produced with BossaNova Media for Channel 4.
• Ancient Greece by Train 5-part series following Professor Alice Roberts through Greece and Turkey examining democracy, philosophy, and mythology as part of the Ancient Civilisations by Train franchise.
• Roman Empire by Train 4-part series exploring the Roman Empire from Naples through Italy, France, and Spain. Achieved approximately 850,000 viewers per episode, 25% above Channel 4's prime-time benchmark.
• Ancient India by Train Fifth series following Professor Alice Roberts through India from Delhi to Aurangabad, covering spiritual ceremonies, historical sites, and local culture. Currently in production for 2027 broadcast on Channel 4.
• Battlechefs Reality competition series bringing together food, celebrity, and travel. Five celebrity chefs cruise on a ship while competing daily. Fully funded by P&O Cruises for UKTV's W channel.
• Iron Men Multi-award-winning feature documentary chronicling West Ham United's emotional move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016. Features Mark Noble, Ray Winstone, and club owners.
• The Tower Visually dramatic daily quiz game show where contestants build cash towers and test general knowledge and odds-judging ability. Produced by Spark Media North.
• The Spanish Job Branded digital-first entertainment film created for Estrella Galicia and Channel 4 Sales. Comedy challenge show starring comedian Ignacio Lopez and Michelin star chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho. Distributed on Channel 4's YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram as part of Channel 4's Fast Forward Strategy.
• Fan-Owned Football Behind-the-scenes series following League Two side AFC Wimbledon through their 2024-25 season. Co-produced with US-based Mike Tollin Productions (known for The Last Dance) for BBC.
• Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts (Book) Book tie-in expanding on the Roman Empire by Train documentary series with extended interviews, Professor Alice Roberts' illustrations, and travel notes. Published by Bantam Books UK in hardback and audiobook formats in May 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Chateau DIY series 7 streaming up 30% year-over-year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bantam Books (Penguin Random House)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 April 2026Publisher that acquired World English language rights for Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts book. Published in hardback (£22) and audiobook formats in May 2026.
• Cineflix RightscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 October 2024Exclusive worldwide distribution partner for all Château DIY franchise content. Handles international sales of finished programmes and format licensing to broadcasters globally. Negotiated first format sale to Nine Network Australia.
• Channel 4 Sales / Channel 4 DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2024Channel 4 Sales partnered with Estrella Galicia and Spark Media North to create The Spanish Job branded entertainment film for Channel 4's digital-first strategy. Represents Channel 4's Fast Forward Strategy for digital content.
• BossaNova MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for the Ancient Civilisations by Train franchise. BossaNova sourced initial intelligence about audience interest in trains and ancient history, helped secure international pre-sales to de-risk commissions, and serves as commissioning partner alongside Channel 4.
• Mike Tollin ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based production company (known for The Last Dance) partnered with Spark to co-produce Fan-Owned Football, following AFC Wimbledon through their 2024-25 season.
• P&O CruisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFully funded Battlechefs series production as brand partner. The cruise line's brand integration supported the format where celebrity chefs compete aboard cruise ships.
• Estrella GaliciaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner for The Spanish Job branded entertainment content. Spanish brewery sought authentic Spanish cuisine content to promote their beer to UK audiences.
• Nine Network AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian broadcaster that commissioned the first international format adaptation of Château DIY. Series follows Australian families renovating chateaux in France, set to air in Australia and UK in 2026.
• Lounge PostminorOthersBelfast-based post-production house where Spark Media Belfast's office is located inside their facility.
• BAFTA AlbertminorOthersAll Spark productions are signed up to BAFTA's Albert scheme for environmental sustainability in production, focusing on reducing carbon footprint and establishing realistic plans to decrease environmental impact.
• Vineyard CommunityminorOthersRichmond-based local charity that Spark supports through monthly volunteer work at the Crisis Drop-in Service and weekly home-cooked meal donations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dragonfly: Banijay-owned UK factual entertainment indie producing returning series and formats for Channel 4, BBC and others. Comparable in production volume, factual/unscripted focus, and commission-driven revenue model.
• Studio Lambert: All3Media-owned UK production company producing unscripted entertainment and competition formats (e.g., Gogglebox, The Circle, Race Across the World). Closely comparable in scale, slate type, and primary broadcaster relationships.
• Love Productions: Independent UK production company producing unscripted factual entertainment and competition formats (e.g., The Great British Bake Off, The Switch) for the same UK broadcasters (Channel 4, BBC). Directly comparable in scale, business model, and genre focus.
• Curve Media: UK factual entertainment and documentary indie producing commissions for major UK broadcasters. Comparable in production capacity, factual/unscripted focus, and broadcaster-driven revenue model.
• Tinopolis: Welsh-based global factual and entertainment production group producing returning formats and series for UK and international broadcasters. Comparably focused on factual/unscripted content with similar channel relationships.
• Boundless: Fremantle-owned UK factual indie producing high-volume returning series across Channel 4, BBC and other UK broadcasters. Strong overlap with Spark in factual entertainment formats and audience scale.
• Plimsoll Productions: Independent UK factual entertainment producer (e.g., Gogglebox Australia adaptation, factual series for major UK broadcasters). Comparable in production model, returning-format focus, and channel mix.
• Twofour: ITV Studios-owned factual entertainment indie producing popular returning formats such as Gogglebox and I'm A Celebrity spin-offs for major UK broadcasters. Highly comparable business model and channel relationships to Spark.
• North One Television: Independent UK factual indie producing returning entertainment, factual entertainment, and lifestyle series for Channel 4, Channel 5, and other broadcasters. Closely comparable in scale and daytime/peak-time dual focus.

Broad incumbents

• Banijay UK: Global content producer and distributor owning multiple UK indies (including Dragonfly) competing for the same Channel 4 and BBC commissions Spark targets. Larger scale, broader slate, and deeper production-finance firepower than Spark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SparkMediaUK
• Facebookm.facebook.com/pages/Spark-Media-Partners/416688055179881
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spark-media-partners-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/SparkMedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spark Media Partners