Global broadcaster deals secured, Ian Thorpe to host ABC’s production of ground-breaking social justice format

Independent international distribution company Lineup Industries’ bold, pioneering format The Bully Project is set to air on ABC in Australia, fronted by Olympian and former Young Australian of the Year Ian Thorpe OAM.  In further deals, Finland’s YLE channel has commissioned the Lineup Industries format, while Spanish broadcaster Cuatro has taken an option to develop its own local version. The format uses footage of children’s life experiences to seek a revolutionary restorative approach to tackling bullying in communities.  

Coming originally from Dutch producer Skyhigh TV, The Bully Project has already aired to critical and audience acclaim in the Netherlands on RTL and is currently being produced for ITV in the UK by Fresh One, where it will be hosted by Diversity street dancer Ashley Banjo.

Julian Curtis at Lineup Industries said: “We are excited to see this format spreading globally, and getting the recognition it deserves as a powerful tool to tackle an issue which is rife in societies the world over. Lineup is committed to working with partners who are able to expertly and sensitively handle the production of this format, and we have been delighted to see the enthusiasm and dedication of the ABC, ITV, YLE, Cuatro, their on-screen talent and their production teams.”

Speaking about his involvement in the ABC series, Ian Thorpe said: “More than a quarter of children of school children in Australia claim to have been bullied on a regular basis which is unacceptable. I’m passionate about shining a light on this issue. I have some personal experience around the issue of bullying so I want to share my insights to help Australian kids.”

The Australian incarnation of The Bully Project (3 x 60’) is produced in partnership with KEO Australia and Lune Media, and will form the central plank of a season of programming running across the ABC. The aim of the season, which will be supported by partner ReachOut Australia, will be to examine the causes, context and consequences of bullying in Australia today.

The production will film in Queensland this year, where surveillance device legislation permits a format of this nature. Detailed protocols outlining the high level duty of care and involvement of skilled practitioners has been agreed by the ABC and KEO ahead of undertaking the project to ensure the welfare of all participants.

• About The Bully Project:

Controversial, unorthodox and remedial, The Bully Project seeks to help young victims of bullying to shine a light on what it is actually like for them by secretly filming their day to day life. The footage is collected and edited to entirely conceal the identities of those involved in the bullying, in line with the series aim to achieve resolution for the victim, not to name, shame or blame any groups or individuals.  It is then shown to the child’s family and then their schools and peer group with the help of the presenter and experts who support the young people and encourage discussion about making changes collectively to resolve and improve the situation. 

For further information, please contact:

Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint Public Relations on: +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com