BBC Arts has announced Steph McGovern as presenter of a brand new six-part arts series co-commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland for BBC Two, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer.
The Big Deal with Steph McGovern, first announced at the Belfast Media Festival in 2023 under the working title The Art Game, will see seven pairs of art-curious contestants battle it out in the competitive world of contemporary art dealing for the chance to win a lucrative prize.
From new auction records to sold-out shows, the art market is a vibrant global industry that generates headlines around the world. Yet for many, the art world remains shrouded in mystery…
Now, The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is giving budding dealers the chance to follow their instincts, flex their entrepreneurial muscle, and see if they can make money in the market. Some may have an appreciation of art already, but none of them have ever bought or sold artworks professionally before. Each week, the amateur dealers will face challenges that test their skills, from spotting breakthrough artists to building relationships with established ones, wooing potential buyers, and ultimately, securing the sale.
Their efforts will be judged by Cordelia De Freitas, the overarching series expert, alongside a variety of guest art market experts who will decide which pairs progress, and which must leave the competition. Judges include curator Matt Carey-Williams, artist Margo McDaid and Ani Petrov, marketing Vice President for a digital art marketplace. The winners will walk away with an incredible £50,000 worth of art.
Steph McGovern says: “While lots of people are happy to splash out on theatre tickets, music festivals or holidays abroad, spending time and money looking at, or buying art can feel a bit more intimidating. This show dispels the myth that the art world is exclusive. I’m buzzing for you to see how our dealers, from all walks of life, get on when we take them into the heart of the art market, and along all the arteries that stem from it, with the ultimate aim of making money!”
Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, says: “This series pulls back the curtain on one of the most fascinating but mysterious industries in the UK – the art market. Offering a fresh insight into how art is discovered, bought, and sold, The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is a brilliant example of how BBC Arts can demystify the creative industries and inspire the next generation of art-lovers and collectors, while having fun along the way.”
Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, says: “We’re delighted to partner with BBC Arts on this exciting new format supported by Northern Ireland Screen. The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is exactly the kind of creative collaboration the Hot House initiative was designed for, showcasing local independent production company Stellify Media, while opening up the fascinating inner workings of the art market to audiences everywhere.”
Kieran Doherty, co-Founder and co-CEO of Stellify Media, says: “The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is a fun and fast-paced new series that aims to test the skills of seven aspiring art collectors. We’ve created a series that is visually exciting, tense, and full of real insights into contemporary art, and Steph is the perfect host!”
The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is a Stellify Media production for BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Northern Ireland, co-commissioned by BBC Arts and BBC Northern Ireland. It was commissioned by Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, and Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland. The Commissioning Editors are Amanda Goodman and Mary McKeagney. The Executive Producers for Stellify Media are Jo Bishop and Tracie O’Neill.
The series was co-commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland as part of a Hot House initiative, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. The Hot House development initiative was designed to be an additional way of generating co-commissioned projects with BBC network and BBC Northern Ireland will continue to support other network projects pitched by independent production companies outside of the scheme.
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