The Gadget Show

The Gadget Show

The Gadget Show logo
Also known as 'The Gadget Show: World Tour
The All New Gadget Show'
Genre Review show
Created by Ewan Keil
Richard Pearson
James Woodroffe
Developed by Ewan Keil
Directed by Alex Armstead
Karen O'Donovan
Presented by Jason Bradbury
Ortis Deley (2009–12, 2014–)
Jon Bentley (2004–12, 2013–)
Amy Williams (2014–)
Yue Xu (2016–)
Rachel Riley (2013–14)
Pollyanna Woodward (2010–14)
Dallas Campbell (2008)
Tom Dunmore (2004)
Suzi Perry (2004–12)
Gail Porter (2009)
Theme music composer Barrie Gledden (2004–11)
Suzi Perry (2012)
Andy Duggan (2013–)
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 26
No. of episodes 324 (as of 2 December 2016)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ewan Keil
Producer(s) Alex Armstead, Tim Wagg, Karen O'Donovan
Editor(s) Ajay Bhadresa
Keith Brown
Brian Charles
James Hey
Adam Humphries
Leigh Nicholls
Neil Parkinson
Running time 30 minutes
(Series 1–2 and Dave/Discovery Science contracted repeats)
45 minutes (Series 3–6)
60 minutes (Series 7–)
Production company(s) North One Television
Distributor All3Media
Release
Original network Channel 5
Picture format 16:9 576i (Series 1–16)
1080i HDTV (Series 17–)
Original release 7 June 2004 (2004-06-07) – present
External links
Website

The Gadget Show is a British television series which focuses on consumer technology. The show, which is broadcast on Channel 5, is currently presented by Jason Bradbury, Ortis Deley, Jon Bentley, Amy Williams and Yue Xu.

Originally a thirty-minute show, it was extended to forty-five minutes, then later to sixty minutes. Repeats have also aired on the digital channels 5Star and Spike, syndicated broadcasts on Discovery Science and Dave (in edited down half-hour versions), and Channel 5's Internet on-demand service My5. In Australia, it is aired on The Lifestyle Channel. The Gadget Show has received many Guinness World Records.

Format

The former Gadget Show set

2004–2006: Beginnings

The show previews and reviews the latest gadgets, and broadcasts the latest technology news. The show is aimed at giving the mass consumer an insight into the gadget world and in addition, it aims to give enough information for the more "geeky" or knowledgeable audience, but still making it accessible to the more casual viewer. The show has featured Blu-ray Discs, video cameras, MP3 players, Internet multi media tablets and other technologies. A segment showing viewers how to get the most out of their technology is also often included along with a competition to win anything from £5,000 to £45,000 worth of new gadgets. Each series usually contains a special episode focusing on a particular technology conference or expo. Past conferences include CeBIT and the NextFest.

2007–2010: Studio and time increase

Series 5 saw a slight tweak in the format, with the three presenters hosting from a studio base, although a lot of the show still takes place outside of the studio. The studio sections were filmed at The Custard Factory on Gibb Street in Digbeth, Birmingham, England. This was until a new set was introduced and the studio was then moved to inside The Gadget Show's offices located inside North One Television in Digbeth. A recurring theme in the updated format is a regular challenge between Jason and Suzi (and occasionally Jon and / or Ortis), typically set around particular gadget(s) and their testing or use based around it. Another addition is that now the week's main featured gadget(s), typically reviewed by Jon, is given a 'G rating' from one to five. The seventh series, which started on 29 October 2007, saw the programme promoted to a 20:00 start time (previously 19:15), and running increased from forty-five minutes to one hour.

From series 8, there is also a new "Top 5" feature which consists of the Top 5 gadgets in a certain category. At the start of the eleventh series, a new item was introduced, called the "Wall of Fame" where Ortis or Suzi and Jason pick their favourite gadget from a particular category that they think changed the face of modern gadgetry, and then Jon picks the one to win and go up on the wall. There are also several other recurring features (such as aforementioned "Top 5", and 'The Focus Group' - testing products with various groups of people, who vote for their best one) which are featured in episodes on a semi-regular basis.

The show also offers a competition, (answering a multiple choice question, by phone, SMS or postal entry) that gives the winner on some occasions up to 250 prizes.

For 2010, the programme received a rebrand centred on the Museo typeface. This included refreshed titles and break bumpers. Also in 2010, the show saw the release of a supporting magazine called 'The Gadget Show Magazine'. Despite advocating HD content and reviewing high definition television sets, cameras and other devices, the show continued to be produced and broadcast in standard definition, being upscaled on the Channel 5 HD simulcast channel. It would take until the World Tour series for the show to begin broadcasting in native HD.

In August 2011, it was announced a new series of The Gadget Show would be shown on Fridays. However, from 26 September 2011, the show reverted to Mondays, due to strong competition on Friday nights.

2012–2013: World Tour revamp

In February 2012, it was announced that the 17th series of the show would be in a new, revamped format. It was called The Gadget Show: World Tour, and it started airing on 23 April 2012. The new version of the show saw presenters Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward travelling the world to test the latest gadgets and partake in a number of challenges. The reception of the show from fans, after the first few broadcasts were generally negative, questioning Jon, Ortis and Suzi's drop from the show.[1]

The 18th series, under the name The All New Gadget Show, began airing on 5 November 2012. It followed the same format as the previous series known as The Gadget Show: World Tour.[2] Guests in this series included musical-comedy group Jonny & The Baptists.[3] Two specials aired in Spring 2013, a 'future' special and a 'Bank Holiday' special.

2013–present: Back to origins, presenter changes

For the 19th series, Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward were joined by Countdown co-presenter Rachel Riley and former Gadget Show presenter Jon Bentley who re-joined the show as chief gadget tester.[4] It was announced that The Gadget Show would return to its more traditional format, with a new studio. On 30 January 2014, it was announced that Ortis Deley would be returning to the show, replacing Pollyanna Woodward.[5] On 25 April 2014, it was announced that Riley would be leaving the show and would be replaced by Olympic skeleton gold medallist, Amy Williams.[6]

From the 24th series, in-studio presenter links were scrapped; now, the filmed inserts are linked by graphics and countdown clips with voiceover from Bradbury, Deley, Williams and Bentley. A new logo and graphics were introduced. New features included profiles of YouTube creators and vloggers and a section called Gadget Help where viewers of the show can get tech help to solve their problems. For the 25th series, the show returned to a Friday night slot for the first time since 2011.

Guinness World Records

During the challenge section of The Gadget Show, the team is sometimes asked to set new Guinness World Records. So far, they have set records for:

Campaigns

The show launched a campaign for free WiFi access across the country. Viewers were urged to register their support on the show’s website; Jason Bradbury promised to take the issue to 10 Downing Street if the need arose, which it did, but got a reply rejecting his petition after over 30,000 names were sent in.

Series overview

Series Episodes Premiere Finale
Date Premiere viewing figures
(in millions) 		Date Finale viewing figures
(in millions)
1 10 7 June 2004 N/A 16 August 2004 N/A
2 10 14 January 2005 N/A 18 March 2005 N/A
3 10 3 October 2005 N/A 5 December 2005 N/A
4 13 30 January 2006 N/A 24 April 2006 N/A
5 13 18 September 2006 N/A 11 December 2006 N/A
6 10 12 February 2007 N/A 16 April 2007 N/A
7 8 29 October 2007 1.07 17 December 2007 1.30
8 10 31 March 2008 1.17 2 June 2008 0.98
9 9 9 June 2008 0.95 4 August 2008 1.07
10 13 6 October 2008 1.34 30 January 2009 1.05
11 13 9 March 2009 1.34 1 June 2009 1.16
12 20 3 August 2009 1.73 14 December 2009 1.40
13 17 1 February 2010 1.80 24 May 2010 N/A
14 21 2 August 2010 1.23 20 December 2010 1.26
15 17 14 February 2011 1.22 6 June 2011 N/A
16 21 19 August 2011 0.97 9 January 2012 N/A
17 6 23 April 2012 1.03 28 May 2012 0.84
18 12 5 November 2012 1.25 28 January 2013 N/A
191 9 3 June 2013 0.75 29 July 2013 N/A
201 13 14 October 2013 0.85 6 January 2014 0.84
211 9 24 February 2014 N/A 21 April 2014 N/A
221 15 15 September 2014 N/A 19 December 2014 N/A
231 12 2 March 2015 N/A 18 May 2015 N/A
241 12 21 September 2015 N/A 7 December 2015 N/A
251 12 19 February 2016 N/A 13 May 2016 N/A
261 12 7 October 2016 N/A 23 December 2016 N/A

Notes

Presenters

Current presenters

Former presenters

Other

Theme tune

The original theme tune used from 2004 to 2011 was composed by Barrie Gledden and was entitled "In the Machine".

In Episode 4 of Series 16, Suzi and Jason were challenged to create a new theme tune for The Gadget Show which would replace the current one used since the show's first broadcast using only consumer tech. Jason decided that he would use DJing software and equipment to compose his theme, whereas Suzi opted for using Apps available on the iPad 2 to compose her version. After the show, viewers were encouraged to vote for their favourite of the two on The Gadget Show's website, with the version receiving the most votes being chosen as the new theme. At the start of the next episode, it was revealed that Suzi's version was chosen by viewers and was first used in the opening titles of that episode.

A revised version of the theme, including 'drumbeat' elements, accompanied the World Tour series.

The show's current theme music, credited to Andy Duggan, was introduced from the 2013 reboot. It is similar sonically to the first and third themes, melodically following on from the immediately prior (World Tour) theme but with electronic overtones akin to those of the original music.

Website and YouTube channel

The Gadget Show website, which now is part of Channel 5's 5FWD website, contains information on topics and products discussed and featured on the show. In addition, the site contains product reviews, how-tos, news, and free 'web episodes', containing extra material not featured on the TV programme.

The Gadget Show also has a YouTube channel which features special behind the scenes videos and Web TV episodes.

Gadget Show Live

The live Super Theatre at Gadget Show Live 2013, featuring Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward.

The Gadget Show Live is an exhibition that showcases the latest in technology from different sectors. It takes place annually at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, and allows visitors the chance to test and buy the latest technology in the market.

The show encompasses a variety of different features which in the past have included Battlefield Live, Robo Challenge Arena, Toy Arena, Game Zone, Future Tech Zone, Photographic Stage and The HUB. The show's most infamous feature is the Super Theatre, an exclusive hour-long interactive theatre show hosted by the presenters.

In 2013, the show took place between 3–7 April, in 2014 it took place between 9–13 April and in 2015 it took place between 7–12 April and in 2016 it took place between 31 March–3 April.

See also

References

External links

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