There's an oil boom in west Texas and that means big risk, big return and big characters drilling for crude. The oilmen bet their fortunes and their lives daily, contending with the elements and the constant risk of a lethal blowout, to drill for miles into the earth in search of rich reward.

In series 5, Black Gold returns to Midland to find the bustling oil community at the tail end of a boom.  Rigs are shutting down, jobs are drying up, and businesses are closing their doors. But if there’s one man in the oil business that knows how to turn a profit in hard times, it’s mad driller Autry Stephens. Joined by a group of roughnecks with personalities as volatile as the price of oil, Rig 28 must drill four holes in two months, otherwise the rig will be stacked. The game is always the same: Strike black gold and it’s a big payday, strike nothing and it’s a pink slip.

Series 5 exceeded Tru Tv’s prime time average by up to 22% amongst all viewers, outperforming the broadcaster by up to 50% amongst young adults (18-34), and particularly popular amongst young men (18-34) with peak shares surpassing Tru TV’s prime time average by 64%

Duration:
8 x 1 hour

Rights:
The world excluding the USA, and Canada. All Licensed Rights available to FML for French speaking Canada; no Licensed Rights available to FML for English speaking Canada. TV, DVD, Ancillary, CC & In-flight, Non-Theatric, VOD, PPV, Interactive, Internet, Mobile Phone, DVD Extras, Format Rights

Clearances:
Producer will ensure Fully Cleared

TX:
18th June 2008 Tru TV

Delivery : Oct 31 2008 12:00AM to Dec 19 2008 12:00AM

Pitch Availability:
Series 1 Available now Series 2 (8 x 1 hour) has a possible August 2009 air date.

Brief Synopsis:
This epic new series delves deep into the high-stakes world of oil prospecting in West Texas. Chronicling 50 days on three different oil rigs, BLACK GOLD gives a front row seat to the lethal physical dangers and financial hazards faced by all involved in this fascinating and perilous industry. BLACK GOLD introduces the everyday heroes toiling to bring this precious reserve to the surface; ranging from the prospectors or ‘Wildcatters’ risking millions in the hope of rich reward, to the hard-living, hard-drinking ‘Roughnecks’ racing against the clock in scorching heat and adverse weather conditions to drill two miles into the earth, with slim hope of striking it rich.

Key Points:
From world's leading 'blue collar' reality TV producer Thom Beers, maker of multi primetime EMMY nominated 'Ice Road Truckers' (The History Channel) and 'Deadliest Catch' (Discovery) Positive ratings and prime time averages Authenticity - high risk, high reward, real life. Risk and drama oilmen face Unprecedented access to a world you rarely see High production values Shot in HD

Press Coverage / Other Information:
“Audiences are asking for something that’s real. They want to watch real people, having actual life experiences, facing true challenges,” says Beers. “And that’s what we give them. Real heroes from real life.” http://www.origprod.com/thom.htm “This show jumps right off the screen into your living room - full of life, vigour and pure raw energy. Beers and crew bring us right into a vital part of our world, and make us viscerally understand it. Plus, "Black Gold" is great to look at, mud aside. It's set in the gorgeous pancake-flat West Texas landscape, where as far as the eye can see is scrub and creosote bush. Great thunderheads drift across this primal landscape, as the viewer is left with a sense that something terribly elemental and central to the human spirit is unfolding” – Newsday http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/partii/ny-ettel5729896jun18,0,7523914.column “Various channels have tapped into this odd-jobs genre (History Channel's "Ice Road Truckers" among them), and the solid performance of those shows among men suggests the network formerly known as Court TV should strike paydirt as well with what them hillbillies once called "Texas tea."” - Variety Slicky Produced - Variety

Marketing Materials:
Brochure for the Original Productions portfolio. Features in new 2010 portfolio OP brochure. Promo available Web - online programme card, promo and episode available OTV - episode and promo available Stand graphic - meeting room poster Advertising: Front cover and 1st DPS in Videoage for MIPCOM 2008 NATPE 2009 stand poster

Research:
Series one of Black Gold launched on 18th June 2008 to an audience of 1.1 million viewers. Black Gold exceeded Tru TV’s prime time average by up to 45% for all viewers (2+). For the key commercial target (Adults 18-49), Black Gold surpassed Tru TV’s prime time by 40%. Performing well for Adults 25-54, Black Gold attained an average share 36% higher than the broadcaster’s prime time average. Black Gold proved a hit with Men 18-49, attaining shares up to 73% higher than Tru TV’s prime time average.

Producer:
Original Productions

Duration:
8 x 1 hour

Rights:
The world excluding the USA, and Canada. All Licensed Rights available to FML for French speaking Canada; no Licensed Rights available to FML for English speaking Canada. TV, DVD, Ancillary, CC & In-flight, Non-Theatric, VOD, PPV, Interactive, Internet, Mobile Phone, DVD Extras, Format Rights

Clearances:
Producer will ensure Fully Cleared

TX:
18th June 2008 Tru TV

Delivery : Oct 31 2008 12:00AM to Dec 19 2008 12:00AM

Pitch Availability:
Series 1 Available now Series 2 (8 x 1 hour) has a possible August 2009 air date.

Brief Synopsis:
This epic new series delves deep into the high-stakes world of oil prospecting in West Texas. Chronicling 50 days on three different oil rigs, BLACK GOLD gives a front row seat to the lethal physical dangers and financial hazards faced by all involved in this fascinating and perilous industry. BLACK GOLD introduces the everyday heroes toiling to bring this precious reserve to the surface; ranging from the prospectors or ‘Wildcatters’ risking millions in the hope of rich reward, to the hard-living, hard-drinking ‘Roughnecks’ racing against the clock in scorching heat and adverse weather conditions to drill two miles into the earth, with slim hope of striking it rich.

Key Points:
From world's leading 'blue collar' reality TV producer Thom Beers, maker of multi primetime EMMY nominated 'Ice Road Truckers' (The History Channel) and 'Deadliest Catch' (Discovery) Positive ratings and prime time averages Authenticity - high risk, high reward, real life. Risk and drama oilmen face Unprecedented access to a world you rarely see High production values Shot in HD

Press Coverage / Other Information:
“Audiences are asking for something that’s real. They want to watch real people, having actual life experiences, facing true challenges,” says Beers. “And that’s what we give them. Real heroes from real life.” http://www.origprod.com/thom.htm “This show jumps right off the screen into your living room - full of life, vigour and pure raw energy. Beers and crew bring us right into a vital part of our world, and make us viscerally understand it. Plus, "Black Gold" is great to look at, mud aside. It's set in the gorgeous pancake-flat West Texas landscape, where as far as the eye can see is scrub and creosote bush. Great thunderheads drift across this primal landscape, as the viewer is left with a sense that something terribly elemental and central to the human spirit is unfolding” – Newsday http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/partii/ny-ettel5729896jun18,0,7523914.column “Various channels have tapped into this odd-jobs genre (History Channel's "Ice Road Truckers" among them), and the solid performance of those shows among men suggests the network formerly known as Court TV should strike paydirt as well with what them hillbillies once called "Texas tea."” - Variety Slicky Produced - Variety

Marketing Materials:
Brochure for the Original Productions portfolio. Features in new 2010 portfolio OP brochure. Promo available Web - online programme card, promo and episode available OTV - episode and promo available Stand graphic - meeting room poster Advertising: Front cover and 1st DPS in Videoage for MIPCOM 2008 NATPE 2009 stand poster

Research:
Series one of Black Gold launched on 18th June 2008 to an audience of 1.1 million viewers. Black Gold exceeded Tru TV’s prime time average by up to 45% for all viewers (2+). For the key commercial target (Adults 18-49), Black Gold surpassed Tru TV’s prime time by 40%. Performing well for Adults 25-54, Black Gold attained an average share 36% higher than the broadcaster’s prime time average. Black Gold proved a hit with Men 18-49, attaining shares up to 73% higher than Tru TV’s prime time average.

Producer:
Original Productions