MISSION TO BURNLEY, the four-part, premium documentary mini-series about the highs and lows of English football club Burnley F.C. in their 2022/23 Season, has been acquired by Peacock in the USA and will begin streaming on the service on 15 December, in a deal negotiated by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay. The dramatic, moving, funny and heart-warming, rollercoaster of a documentary, a SKY Original from award-winning Ad Hoc Films, follows the fortunes of Burnley F.C. across the course of a season, as they bid to secure promotion from the second tier of English football back to the dizzy heights of the world-famous Premier League.
Founded in 1882, Burnley F.C. is one of the oldest professional football clubs in the UK and is located in the north of England in a town which can claim to be one of the smallest to have ever hosted a club in the game’s top tier.
The ultimate underdog story of determination, aspiration and belief, this documentary charts the exploits of the club as it goes through something of a rebirth under the new ownership of American investment company, ALK Partners, led by US entrepreneur Alan Pace, and managed by one of the game’s most exciting young managers; internationally renowned, former player, Vincent Kompany.
Having experienced the ultimate heart-break of relegation to play second-tier football in the Summer of 2021, Burnley F.C. granted Ad Hoc Films unprecedented access to explore the inner workings of the club, through the course of one of their most important seasons, following management and players on their mission to return to the glory, prestige – and big money – of the game’s most exciting and elite league.
Mat Hodgson, co-founder of Ad Hoc Films and executive producer of the documentary said:
“We are delighted that Mission to Burnley has found a perfect home on Peacock. It is a golden era for sports documentary, but real privileged access of the type the club have afforded us still remains very rare. We are extremely proud of this very special fall and rise story, that encompasses Boardroom to Boot Room and all in between.”
Daniel Glynn, co-founder of Ad Hoc Films and executive producer of the documentary added:
“Ad Hoc Films aimed to capture the raw essence of Burnley Football Club and the story of its American led takeover from all sides, on and off the pitch, all the passion, the struggle and the triumph, so we’re delighted “Mission to Burnley” is set to launch on NBC’s Peacock streaming service, the exclusive home of the Premier League in the United States.
“We made the show for sports documentary aficionados, not just die-hard Burnley fans, so it would resonate with as wide an audience as possible, as it did in the UK. North American fans of the Premier League, and sports docs, will now get to experience it and will undoubtedly appreciate and enjoy this surprising, warts and all, access driven series.”
Burnley FC Chairman, Alan Pace said:
“Mission to Burnley captured a truly unforgettable year, full of stratospheric highs, some daunting lows and everything in between. I was delighted that Ad Hoc were there to capture the incredible journey, in all its emotion, depth and passion. “At the heart of our story is family, faith, friendship and of course football, set during an amazing time and led by a very special manager in Vincent Kompany. I can’t wait to share our story so far with everyone in America!”
Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Coproductions and Acquisitions, Banijay Rights commented:
“One of the founding members of the English Football League, Burnley FC is a club steeped in history and character – and has endured some tremendous ups and downs along the way. This premium series gives a deep insight into the Clarets’ quest to return to glory and we couldn’t be more delighted that US audiences can now watch their journey unfold on Peacock.”
International distributor, Banijay Rights, secured the deal to air the four-part series made by Ad Hoc Films, who have established a name and pedigree in sporting docs including several titles featuring the likes of Manchester United, David Beckham, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sylvester Stallone, Muhammed Ali, Roberto Duran and the England women’s ‘Lionesses’ national team.
The deal comes as Banijay this month confirmed its acceleration into sport under the banner of new division, Banijay Sports. Building on the group’s existing capabilities, the business is broadening its efforts in sportainment, documentary and digital via new partnerships, content investments and M&A.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors:
About Ad Hoc Films
Producers of ground-breaking documentary films and innovative TV series, Ad Hoc Films was founded in 2005 by filmmakers Daniel Glynn and Mat Hodgson with a simple goal. To craft compelling and privileged stories with passion whatever the subject matter.
Today, it is an internationally respected, award-winning production company working with the biggest global Broadcasters, SVODS and Distributors, creating powerful, access driven films and premium content.
Selected credits include ‘I Am Duran’ (Universal Pictures), ‘The United Way with Eric Cantona’ (Embankment Films/SKY Original), ‘Elizabeth Windsor’ (Amazon Original), Lionesses: How Football Came Home’ (Altitude Film Entertainment) and the ground-breaking film ‘QPR: The Four Year Plan (BBC)’
About Burnley FC
Burnley Football Club is an English football club formed in 1882, one of the founder members of The Football League and winners of the top flight on two separate occasions.
Based in the north west of England and managed by football legend Vincent Kompany they play in world football’s most prestigious competition – the Premier League.
Last season they won the EFL Championship with one of the highest points totals in the league’s history.
The club is owned by ALK Partners and run by chairman, Alan Pace.
Nicknamed, “The Clarets” they have played their home games at Turf Moor in Burnley since 1883 regularly filling their capacity of 21,944 – which works out at around a third of the town’s population.
Burnley FC will soon announce their revamped US membership package which costs $99 inclusive of VAT:
- Membership welcome pack which includes a welcome letter, membership card and home shirt delivered to your door in a branded Burnley box.
- Invitation to a virtual Fan Forum with club ownership.
- 15% retail discount.
- Entry into a draw to win an all-expenses paid VIP trip to Turf Moor for a game.
- Entry to win a signed shirt.
- Complimentary matchday e-program for all home games.
- First access to club news.
About Banijay Rights
Leading global distributor, Banijay Rights, represents a world-class, multi-genre portfolio of 180,000 hours of standout programming. Handling the distribution for media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, the division specialises in the exploitation of premium scripted and non-scripted brands to broadcasters worldwide.
Representing quality, excellence and experience in the business of linear and non-linear television and ancillary activity across all platforms, Banijay Rights’ catalogue encompasses a host of top titles from Banijay’s 130+ in-house labels, and a number of third-party producers, spanning drama, comedy, entertainment, factual, reality, family, formats and theatrical.
Delivering high-quality IP, which was born locally and travels globally, the distributor offers the best stories told the best way. Its landmark brands include Survivor, Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Temptation Island, Grantchester, Deal or No Deal, Biggest Loser, Home and Away, Love Triangle, Mr Bean and Black Mirror.
Built on independence, creative freedom, entrepreneurialism and commercial acumen, Banijay Rights operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Cathy Payne.
