Movies

TV Mogul Dan Baldwin Dominates Saturday Night Ratings

BBG News

He’s a key figure saving BBC Saturday evening TV, but it’s unlikely that most of his numerous viewers even know his name.

Last night, I found myself captivated as Dan Baldwin, my beloved television guide, outshone Ant and Dec, along with The Masked Singer, with his enthralling shows – Gladiators and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

In contrast, while “The Masked Singer,” led by host Joel Dommett, reached a high of 4.1 million viewers, “Michael McIntyre’s Big Show” featuring Baldwin attracted 4.8 million viewers.

In the late time-slot, the BBC managed to outperform ITV. Baldwin’s revamp of the ITV classic Gladiators pulled in a viewership of 3.9 million, surpassing Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win which drew 3.1 million viewers.

In the later part of the day, BBC outshone ITV. The new version of Gladiators on ITV, led by Baldwin, garnered an audience of 3.9 million, outnumbering Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win which gathered 3.1 million viewers.

Baldwin, who serves as the leader at Hungry Bear Media, has been instrumental in creating several of the BBC’s highest-rated prime-time shows, such as The Wheel and Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad.

His work significantly strengthened BBC One’s dominance in family-oriented programming, prompting the corporation’s executives to frequently praise and court him to prevent him from offering his shows to other networks.

In this moment, I find myself becoming increasingly indispensable to the BBC, as they strive to reimagine timeless Saturday night hits like The Generation Game for contemporary audiences.

For several decades, this 50-year-old individual has been a well-known figure within the industry. His popular television programs have recently enabled him and his partner to secure a brand-new £8 million home without any mortgage obligations.

In the year 2004, he encountered Holly Willoughby on the set of ITV’s Ministry of Mayhem, as Baldwin served as the show’s producer, while Willoughby was its host.

2007 saw me tying the knot with my beloved, and since then, we’ve been blessed with three little miracles. Together, we’ve embarked on numerous ventures, including our lively joint appearances on shows like Celebrity Juice.

The TV mogul has already profited from a lucrative BBC deal to produce the revamped Gladiators.

Baldwin, building upon the success of his Saturday-night show, has launched a talent agency called Hungry Bear Talent within his company. This new venture now represents almost all the rising stars from the program.

Approximately 12 out of the 16 Gladiators from the previous season, such as Alex Gray (Apollo), Emily Steele (Dynamite), Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro), and the towering Jamie Christian Johal (Giant), have committed to returning.

In simpler terms, this implies that Baldwin receives a portion of the earnings that the individuals gain from their growing popularity due to their performances on the BBC.

‘Talk about a clever business decision,’ a television insider previously told The Mail on Sunday.

Dan initiated the relaunch through his firm, subsequently sold it to the BBC for a substantial sum, and now strategically secured contracts with several of its prominent young talents. Any earnings they generate now, he will supplement through his management company.

Others could perceive it as somewhat self-serving. The BBC shouldn’t function as a platform for personal profit-making by Dan.

By signing up the stars of the movie “Gladiator”, Baldwin has expanded Hungry Bear Talent’s clientele to encompass the athletes portraying Athena, Diamond, Legend, Bionic, Fire, Sabre, Viper, and Steel on screen.

Initially commencing his professional journey at the BBC as a researcher for Live & Kicking, Baldwin swiftly ascended through the corporate ladder.

In his mid-twenties, he already occupied high-level positions, among them the Head of Programmes at MTV. Later, in 2014, he established his own production firm.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve found that my longstanding relationships, particularly with BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore, have been instrumental in continuing my fruitful partnerships with this esteemed broadcaster.

In November 2022, Moore extended invitations to Baldwin and Willoughby for the Variety Club Showbiz Awards held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Baldwin’s honors encompass a BAFTA, as well as two National Television Awards and two Royal Television Society Awards.

After last night’s dual victories, he has solidified his standing as a significant powerhouse in British television.

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2025-01-19 15:50

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