IMG and Scattered Pictures launch new show for the BBC

IMG has teamed up with TV, film and audio production company Scattered Pictures to produce Hidden Sport, a new four-part audio series for the BBC.

Across the series, award-winning actor, writer, presenter and producer, Kim Tserkezie will take BBC World Service listeners on a global journey to discover the world’s lesser-known sports and explore how and why they are so important to those who watch and play them.

The first episode will launch 23 April, and the following three episodes will be available weekly.

Kim Tserkezie, Founder and CEO of Scattered Pictures said: “Scattered Pictures focuses on presenting diverse and unrepresented perspectives in all of its projects. We are absolutely thrilled to have joined forces with IMG and BBC World Service to bring such an exciting, fresh take on the world of sport. As a North-East based company, I am excited also that we have been able to include some very brilliant local voices in the programmes. As a disabled person, I haven’t found commercial sport very accessible or particularly interesting to me in the past, but presenting this series has been a joy for me from beginning to end. It has been fascinating to hear from a wonderful range of interesting and passionate contributors across the globe, who have certainly challenged my own opinions on what sport means.”

Gwenan Roberts, Senior Commissioning Editor for BBC World Service English, said: “Move aside golf, football and tennis – Hidden Sport’s joy is showing how sport is being continually and innovatively reinvented to bring people together. I’m delighted that BBC World Service is working with IMG and Scattered pictures to broadcast this series.”

Steve Tebb, Head of Audio at IMG, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Scattered Pictures and the BBC on this revealing and entertaining new series. Listeners across the globe will be given a fascinating insight and the history behind a number of lesser-known sports including Dambe boxing, korfball and drone racing. In the final episode, Kim will explore Switch – a sport incorporating aspects of football, volleyball, netball, basketball and handball.”

In episode one, Kim faces up to her lifelong dislike of contact fight sports by exploring Dambe boxing, a Nigerian sport with a history that is said to go back as far as the 10th century. The next episode will see Kim examine the fast-paced ball sport of korfball, which lays claim to being the only full gender equal team sport in the world. Kim discovers drone racing in episode three and learns how the freedom of flying has captured the imagination around the world and helped fight some of the negative generalisations associated with drones. In the final episode, Kim explores Switch which is helping unite a community in West London and provide direction to young people.