Ricochet, part of Warner Bros. International TV Production, has acquired the rights from ABC Commercial to make a UK version of the popular Australian series Muster Dogs.
Based on an original concept by producer Michael Boughen for Ambience Entertainment, the format was developed in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the ‘ABC’) – and has now delivered three highly successful seasons, with a fourth season currently in production.
Working alongside Pippa Lambert at Hellcat Productions, Ricochet will be adapting the format which is based on the Australian breakout hit show and follows six animal farmers from across the country who are each given a puppy from the same litter and then face the task of training them up to be herding dogs in just one year.
The series proved to be a huge surprise ratings winner in Australia when Season 1 launched in 2023. It had 2M consolidated viewers per episode, was the highest rating factual programme on domestic catch-up ever, with The Guardian referring to it as “the Australian reality show set to charm the world.”
Season 2 premiered on ABC in 2024 with a consolidated audience of 2.1m, a 16.4% share and was the number 1 adult show on ABC.
The series follows the farm, farmer and pup and culminates in a final competition between all six dogs where one dog will be named the nation’s Champion Muster Dog.
Checking in with the six puppies at key milestones throughout a year, herding dog experts will set challenges and assess the pups’ progress. Filmed over a full calendar year, audiences root for their favourite puppy, farmer and farm.
Season 3 is currently on air and Season 4 is in production.
Damon Pattison, Creative Director at Ricochet, said: “It’s a brilliant format and whilst it was a surprise hit in Australia, I think the combination of utterly adorable puppies, the beautiful British countryside and a dose of competitive reality will make it a sure fire hit over here.’’
Isabella Del Grande, Sales Executive at ABC Commercial, said: “Muster Dogs offers an authentic, family-friendly version of reality TV. Perfect for co-viewing, it serves up the competition tropes and transformation narratives that audiences love – hooking them from the get-go and ensuring they are invested across the full arc of each season. I’m so excited to see Ricochet bring the British adaptation to life and give us a new collection of passionate farmers and gorgeous puppies to fall in love with.”
Monica O'Brien, Producer/Director, Ambience Entertainment, said “Australian audiences have fallen in love with this uplifting and heartwarming series, which not only celebrates the bond between handlers and their dogs but also showcases the diversity of our vast country, the joys and challenges of farming, and the essential role of working dogs for the agricultural industry.”
Michael Boughen, Creator/Producer, Ambience Entertainment, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see Muster Dogs expand beyond Australia. The success of the show speaks to the universal admiration for working dogs and the people who train them. I look forward to seeing the UK version bring its own unique flavour while staying true to the heart of the series.”
The US format has also been optioned by Hellcat Productions, and ABC Commercial is in format discussions with partners in Spain, France and the Nordics.
For more information contact: Kay Breeze, kay@plankpr.com
Notes to Editors:
About Warner Bros International Television Production
Founded in 2009, Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP) produces local scripted and non-scripted programming through its network of local production operations comprising 22 production businesses in 15 territories: the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy – and also in Australia and New Zealand.
WBITVP’s production operations are responsible for original programming, as well as local versions of formats owned and/or controlled by WBD, such as First Dates, The Bachelor, The Golden Bachelor, Cash or Trash, The Repair Shop, FBoy Island, Who Do You Think You Are? and Glow Up. Scripted series include, The Twelve, 30 Somethings, and Love Me. Where WBITVP has no local production capability, it licenses the formats it controls to third parties. WBITVP also represents formats from third-party production companies and broadcasters such as North South Productions, Hungry Bear, Radio Karate, CBC Canada and Talpa.
