ITV Studios digital division Zoo 55 has partnered with Oxford Scientific Films to launch Fish On! With Jeremy Wade, a 20-part vodcast that sees the River Monsters presenter revisit some of the experiences behind the hit factual series.
The new production, co-hosted by Wade and his longtime friend Scott Tankard, will launch exclusively for Patreon members on 20 October, ahead of a wider release on 27 October across YouTube, Spotify and podcast platforms.
The series will feature Wade and Tankard discussing memorable catches, near misses and unexplained encounters from River Monsters, alongside guests who worked on the original programme. Episodes will also explore behind-the-scenes stories, wildlife and conservation issues, and Wade’s experiences during almost four decades of exploration.
The launch follows renewed digital interest in River Monsters, which originally aired between 2009 and 2017 and was broadcast in 195 countries. According to Zoo 55, the franchise has generated more than 1.74 billion social video views over the past year, averaging 4.77 million views a day and producing 54 million engagements. YouTube watch time has also increased by more than 1,100% year on year.
Wade has attracted a younger audience on TikTok, where fans have dubbed him the “Pokémon Master” because of his pursuit of unusual aquatic creatures.
Commenting on the new series, Wade said: “People tend to ask about the biggest fish or the closest I’ve come to being killed. Some of these questions have a fairly short answer. But some stories can take a bit longer. Tracking down the fish and other strange creatures took me to some extraordinary places, but often it’s the people I met and the things I couldn’t explain that have stayed with me. With Scott and our guests, there’s time to get into those stories properly, and perhaps shed a little more light on some of the mysteries that still intrigue me”
Martin Trickey, managing director of Zoo 55, said: “We knew how passionate Jeremy’s fanbase was, and how enormous the global audience for fishing content could be, but we could never have imagined how monstrous River Monsters would become in the digital space. Fish On! With Jeremy Wade is a project for his fans and gives them something new to feast on.”
Helen Conlan, executive producer at Oxford Scientific Films, added: “River Monsters was a phenomenon, and Jeremy Wade became one of the true rock stars of factual television. What makes Jeremy so special is the incredible connection he has with his fans – he’s knowledgeable, charismatic, completely authentic and, above all, hugely entertaining. We’re thrilled to be working with him on Fish On! and to bring that connection to a new generation of fans as we start this next chapter together.”
Fish On! With Jeremy Wade is a Zoo 55 Original, produced by ITV Studios-owned Oxford Scientific Films and distributed digitally by Zoo 55. The vodcast will also be available via rivermonsters.tv.
