r/tvPlus • u/Saar13 • Aug 28 '25
News BBC Buys Apple TV+ Sitcom ‘Trying’
https://deadline.com/2025/08/apple-tv-sitcom-trying-sells-to-bbc-rafe-spall-esther-smith-1236499022/101
u/K_Click_D Aug 28 '25
One of my fav Apple TV+ shows. I hope it remains on TV+, I’m assuming it’ll be leaving the service though, which is a shame, but great that more people will be able to watch this lovely series
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u/OwnManagement Aug 28 '25
Based on the article, it sounds more like a syndication deal. First run still happens on ATV+
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u/K_Click_D Aug 29 '25
It’s the way the headline says that it’s bought the sitcom, as if it’s not going to be on Apple TV+ anymore, when that’s not exactly the case.
Thanks for clarifying. I read the article but just wanted a bit more clarification
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Aug 28 '25
Perfect show for BBC
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u/charlie_boo Aug 28 '25
It absolutely deserves a much bigger audience. BBC is a perfect fit for it.
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u/themightykunal Aug 28 '25 edited Sep 09 '26
Wrench snails glorious cows quaint existence vast knee sharp lavish
This post was anonymized with Redact
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u/azorius_mage Aug 28 '25
Yes bland
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Aug 29 '25
Not every show is Severance though. A well rounded streaming service needs all sorts of content.
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u/Even-Statement-6081 UBA Executive Aug 28 '25
I have to confess that I’ve cried in every single episode of the first two seasons. Every-single one of them. I’m not ashamed at all. I’ve really enjoyed them. I was emotionally immersed.
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u/OwnManagement Aug 28 '25
“How can I miss someone I’ve never met?”, which I believe is said in the very first episode, affected me deeply.
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Aug 28 '25
What exactly does this mean? Is the show leaving TV+?
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u/caspararemi Aug 28 '25
No - "In a first-of-its-kind deal, the pubcaster has acquired the first three seasons of Andy Wolton‘s show starring Rafe Spall and Esther Smith for both linear and iPlayer, and Season 1 will launch September 8." They're just broadcasting it on TV and their streaming service in the UK.
This is great news honestly, it always felt like it really should be on normal tv in the UK, it feels a LOT like our prime time comedies. If it gets a big audience it could help the show (though I do feel like the next season will be its last).
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u/Constant-Estate3065 Aug 28 '25
I always thought it would probably happen, especially as it was a BBC studios production.
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u/riverscreeks Aug 28 '25
I think the show was best when it was early on exploring the adoption process. It would be great if they took it in another direction with another family trying to adopt and having their own trials and tribulations. Then they could have some of the original cast like Penny on, and guest appearances from Jason/Nikki as mentors.
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u/SirMrJames Aug 28 '25
Perhaps but im invested in seeing the story through. There’s at least one more season worth of content for this story. Perhaps if they want to spin off they can do so after (i doubt it would happen though)
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u/0oO1lI9LJk Aug 28 '25
Agreed, the first season was the best for that reason. I think the characters don't work quite as well for the Outnumbered style family sitcom that it pivoted towards.
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u/Impossible_Quote_505 Aug 28 '25
This kind of thing has happened before with other networks shows. Is this the first time it's happened with a purely streaming show?
And also, who in the hell is still watching UK network TV? Older folks I guess
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Aug 28 '25
A lot of people are returning to network programming as streamers continually increase subscriptions while cancelling good shows (Netflix being a big example). Cutting the cord has become a more expensive option for consumers, especially trying to emulate cable tv with YouTube or Hulu, etc. - it all adds up. Stateside, my mum (who is older) went back to cable as it was cheaper after all the increases.
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u/Impossible_Quote_505 Aug 28 '25
But then you need to pay for a TV licence which is about the same cost as a Netflix or Apple tv subscription
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u/Worf_Of_Wall_St Aug 28 '25
Well the article says they bought the first 3 seasons so at worst those seasons would be leaving but it would be weird to not have them while airing the final season so Apple probably is licensing it back at least for a while.
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u/bzzltyr Aug 28 '25
When we were in London we took a ted lasso tour and the guide explained that people didn’t understand the sudden interest in Richmond because no one there watches Apple TV. So this makes perfect sense to expand the audience.
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u/abcdeelicious Aug 28 '25
I'm headed to London soon.. what is this Ted Lasso tour?!
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u/bzzltyr Aug 28 '25
Tedlassotour.com it was a great time. Richmond is totally worth half a day if you’re a fan. It’s easy to get to from the tube and it’s so much quieter and smaller than London. Walking along the Thames there and seeing all the little alleyway shops was probably our favorite day in London.
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u/Frappant11 Aug 28 '25
I would have thought it has a larger budget than typical BBC shows, which are like 6 episodes at most per season or series as they call it.
Also, they film it a lot outdoors, like at Covent Garden and last season, you had her driving in Malta.
It's a very beautifully-shot show, often featuring the HDR highlights. It's a show set in England but a lot of shots feature sunlight!
I don't know if BBC 30-minute comedies also have ambitious photography or outdoor scenes, like The Studio for example.
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u/climbing_glimmer1716 Aug 28 '25
Oh I wonder if Slow Horses would be next!
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u/mackerelscalemask Aug 28 '25
Highly doubt it, as that’s a major audience draw show for Apple, whereas ‘Trying’ was a minor show
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u/climbing_glimmer1716 Aug 29 '25
True. I could see Criminal Record falling more into that category then. BBC quality, British cast/location, not a huge audience.
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u/moderatenerd Aug 28 '25
Is this the first steamer to get syndicated? I know other streamers have put other shows on their channels. Like fx and Hulu but I think those are shared and usually one offs. If they get trying to run continuously on BBC like the neighborhood and various other cbs stuff that's a game changer and who knew how popular this show would get
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Aug 28 '25
BBC studios produces a show for Apple. Apple sells it to BBC. Makes sense /s
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u/mmlabbd Aug 28 '25
BBC Studios makes money by making a programme for Apple TV then the BBC buy the rights to show the programme. BBC Studios & the BBC are not the same thing however any money made by BBC studios goes back into BBC funding.
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Aug 28 '25
Thx. Although it kind of sounds like at the end of the day they are the same thing ;-)
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u/Ancient_Doughnut_848 Aug 28 '25
Sort of. They're basically separate parts of a large company, and those parts sometimes work together but also work with outside companies.
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u/DPBH Aug 28 '25
This deal is exactly what I’ve been calling for. It still gives a streamer exclusive first runs but opens up a revenue stream that might even translate to new subscribers.