DISCOVERY commissions spin-offs of AUSSIE GOLD HUNTERS and OUTBACK OPAL HUNTERS

Both spin-off series’ are expected to launch in 2022.

Discovery ANZ, in partnership with Discovery UK, has today announced the commissioning of two brand-new spin-off series Aussie Gold Hunters: Mine SOS and Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey (w/t), further strengthening the network’s commitment to Australian productions.

Following two already successful and established series’, the two new Australian shows will launch on Discovery in 2022. 

Aussie Gold Hunters is Discovery Channel Australia’s most successful and highest rating local production on record. For five consecutive years it has been the #1 Factual program** on Foxtel, has garnered international success with record-breaking finds and airs in more than 140 countries.

Aussie Gold Hunters: Mine SOS is a 6×60 spin-off of Aussie Gold Hunters. The Electric Pictures production sees gold guru Paul Mackie and his team of mining experts overhaul struggling mining operations and turn around the fortunes of miners who’ve fallen on hard times.

Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey (w/t) follows the hugely successful Outback Opal Hunters; a series that airs in over 100 countries worldwide, has had record-breaking Opal finds and was Foxtel’s #3 Factual program** in 2021.

The Prospero Production’s 6×60 series follows Outback Opal Hunters’ stars on a journey through Australia’s opal and gem hotspots. The spin-off dives into the story of James ‘JC’ Caruana, who’s soon to become a father for the first time, as he’s taken under the wing of outback opal legend, Rod Manning, to learn the secrets of opal mining and living in the outback.  

Thierry Bled, Executive Producer – Factual, Discovery ANZ, said:

“With Aussie Gold Hunters: Mine SOS and Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey (working title), Discovery ANZ is thrilled to continue to explore the powerful lure of the Australian outback for local and international audiences.

 “From the enchanting visceral tapestry of wild, remote locations to the colourful, proud characters and their ‘strike it rich’ adventures, these two home-grown productions are an evolutionary step in extending Discovery’s extreme job genre from the goldfields and opal mines into heartfelt, powerful transformative storytelling of everyday Australians and their dreams.”

**Source: Oztam/Techedge. National STV Panel – Consolidated 28 days. Total people.

Aussie Gold Hunters: Mine SOS and Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey (w/t) will premiere on Discovery in 2022.