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Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch has commissioned Lime Pictures, whose credits include Hollyoaks and Grange Hill, to produce a brand new constructed reality series for its teen audience, set in the exclusive Val d'Isere ski resort.

The Season, which is shot as a drama, captures the final few weeks of the ski season and follows the lives, loves, trials and tribulations of a group of young "seasonnaires" as they work and play in the party capital of the Alps.

The series, to be shown from 31 October in the Switch zone on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two, spans 10 consecutive weeks in a ski season, focusing on 12 main characters including self-confessed gossip queen Abi, wannabe pro-boarder Sam and his girlfriend Holly and Tommy and Emily, who came to Val as a couple but who have recently split up.

The Season aims to get under the skin of the central characters and captures the emotional highs and lows over the season, whether it's finding happiness in a relationship, making lifelong friendships, excelling as a ski instructor or competitor and developing greater independence away from home.

This constructed reality format has been adapted from the highly original and hugely successful method applied to US shows such as Laguna Beach and The Hills, which has proved to be hugely popular with young audiences.

Geoffrey Goodwin, Head of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch, says: "This series is absolutely perfect for our teen audience – it's distinctive, authentic and features plenty of drama in an aspirational gap-year environment. The Season is a great addition to our season of new drama on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch."

Lime Pictures' associate company Conker Media has recently produced The Well for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch.

The series, which is currently on air on Saturdays on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two, is an interactive digital drama thriller written by the "Godfather of young adult fiction", Melvin Burgess. For further information visit bbc.co.uk/switch/thewell.

Tony Wood, Creative Director, Lime Pictures adds: "The Season follows Living On The Edge as the largest of Lime Pictures' high-gloss, must-see dramalities. As the UK market leader in teenage drama we're delighted to be extending our range to reality programming. Additionally it's great to be continuing our relationship with Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch."

The Season forms an integral part of Switch's new season of teen drama airing on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two this autumn, which also includes The Cut, a brand new multiplatform soap which airs in five-minute episodes on bbc.co.uk/switch and a weekly TV omnibus.

Notes to Editors

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Switch celebrates British teens through a distinctive range of multiplatform content.

It is headed up by Geoffrey Goodwin and produces a range of innovative and exciting content across TV (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two), radio (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 1) and online (bbc.co.uk/switch) aimed at 12-17 year olds.

Launched in October 2007, Switch is committed to producing high-quality programmes and developing home-grown talent across comedy, entertainment, factual, music and drama.

Key production credits:

Director – Sarah Dillistone
Producers – Sarah Dillistone and Judith Parker
Executive Producers – Geoffrey Goodwin, Tony Wood and Fiona O'Sullivan

ER