Aussie Gold Hunters: Mine SOS & Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey New Series for Discovery ANZ

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

The two new Australian shows will premiere on Discovery sometime in 2022.

Aussie Gold Hunters is the most successful and highest-rated local production in Discovery Channel Australia’s history. It has been the #1 Factual programme** on Foxtel for five years in a row, has achieved international success with record-breaking finds, and airs in over 140 countries.

Australian Gold Hunters: Mine SOS is a 6×60 spin-off of the original Aussie Gold Hunters. Gold guru Paul Mackie and his team of mining professionals revamp troubled mining operations and turn around the fortunes of miners who have fallen on hard times in the Electric Pictures production.

Outback Opal Hunters: Outback Odyssey (w/t) is a spin-off of the enormously popular Outback Opal Hunters, a show that has shown in over 100 countries, has had record-breaking Opal findings, and was Foxtel’s #3 Factual programme** in 2021.

The 660 series, produced by Prospero Productions, follows the stars of Outback Opal Hunters on a tour through Australia’s opal and gem hotspots. The spin-off follows James ‘JC’ Caruana, who is about to become a parent for the first time, as he is taken under the wing of Rod Manning, an outback opal legend, to learn the mysteries of opal mining and outback living.

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.