Shine TV, part of Endemol Shine UK, has been commissioned by Channel 4 to produce a third series of factual thriller Hunted. The series will see a new group of ‘fugitives’ attempt to outwit, outsmart and outrun some of the world’s best ‘hunters’ for a potential prize fund of £100,000.

Series two of Hunted consistently outperformed its 9pm slot average each week and for 16-34s this was by an average of +80% (up +121% for the launch episode). The series also launched in the US on CBS in January and was the highest rated unscripted premiere on any network since 2011with 13.3million viewers / 13.9% share.

Tanya Shaw, Managing Director of Shine TV said; “We are thrilled to be making another series of Hunted for Channel 4. As well as being utterly gripping, the show has really captured the imagination of audiences around the world, especially the younger demographic, as it explores surveillance society in a really engaging yet thought provoking way.”

Dom Bird, Head of Formats at Channel 4 adds; “We very much look forward to building on the success of Hunted in new and exciting ways in for series three. In an era of unparalleled scrutiny around both privacy and security, Hunted has become a thrilling and eye-opening game of cat and mouse, pitting determined fugitives against expert Hunters. It’s already clear that this year both sides will have to raise their game as they battle it out to emerge triumphant.”

Meanwhile, Endemol Shine Netherlands have been commissioned by NPO3 for a second series of the format. This follows the successful premiere last year where it was the channel’s highest rated non-scripted launch of 2016.

Hunted has now sold to seven markets including the U.S, China, Russia, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Hunted in the UK was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Formats, Dom Bird, Head of Documentaries Nick Mirsky and Documentaries commissioning editor Madonna Benjamin. The series will be produced by Shine TV with executive producers Tim Whitwell, Matt Bennett and Jonathan Smith.