Branson in a pickle

Virgin 1 announces a new line-up of shows for its first birthday.

At a press launch today, the channel revealed five new commissions: Britain’s Worst Learners (you can guess what that’s all about), The North Sea (“following the real heroes who live and work in the unforgiving, storm-whipped expanse that divides Britain from the rest of Northern Europe”), My Holiday Hostage Hell (“shocking stories of ordinary Brits on ordinary holidays who have been violently kidnapped”), Sun, Sea and A&E (“the unfortunate side to the British holiday experience”), and, their headliner, The Bransons: Come Hell or High Water.

The inevitable reality show featuring the channel’s owner, Richard Branson, it follows the Virgin tycoon as he takes his family with him on an effort to cross the Atlantic in the fastest time ever in a mono-hull sailing boat.

Says Branson: “It’s so difficult to explain what you experience during a record breaking attempt whether it is at sea or in the air – so it’s great to have documentary film maker onboard – to share the highs and lows.  Everything changes from moment to moment when you’re up against the elements – half way across the Atlantic in the middle of winter – the only things you can be sure of is that you’re going to be absolutely exhausted, soaking wet and freezing cold pretty much all of the time.  Strange thing for a father to wish for his kids to experience – but at least we’ll be in it together!”