ITV has announced that it will broadcast ‘Against the Odds’ on Tuesday 19 October a new sports documentary series co-developed and funded by Coral.
The ten-part series will showcase unique insights on the individual journeys and experiences of athletes who have risen to the top of their sports.
Each episode of Against the Odds will be presented and narrated by leading broadcasters of the ITV Sports team, including Gabriel Clarke, Mark Pougatch, Ed Chamberlain, Francesca Cumani and Oli Bell.
The series’ debut documentary will recount the trailblazing achievement of champion flat jockey Hollie Doyle’s winning tier-1 racing festivals in both women and men’s horseracing.
Further episodes will include fellow riders Guy Disney and Johnny Murtagh, plus a special programme ahead of the Cheltenham festival on the legendary grey racehorse, Desert Orchid. Darts World Champion Gerwyn Price will also be featured with further names to be announced.
Each episode will coincide with major sporting events including The Ashes, the FA Cup, the Six Nations and the Cheltenham Festival.
Coral Head of Brand Marketing, Chris Brocklehurst, said: “The history of sport is full of teams and individuals battling adversity and beating the odds. This new ITV series will tell the stories behind the sporting triumphs of many familiar names. From trailblazing flat jockey Hollie Doyle to Guy Disney’s inspiring and remarkable story, we’re sure that the nation will have their favourites.
“This is a brand new format for Coral and it brilliantly captures some of the most compelling and exciting stories in sport and cements Coral’s position as a leader in sport.”
Coral funded the production of Against the Odds, working in partnership with lead marketing agency the7Stars and TV production unit Supernova. The series commercial output including idents and activation has been overseen by DRUM.
Against the Odds will run from October 2021 until July 2022 on ITV4, ITV Hub and ITV’s main channel.
Phil Heslop, ITV Sport Executive Producer, commented: “It’s hugely exciting to be teaming up with Coral to tell ten such compelling and inspirational stories. ‘Against the Odds’ will give the viewers a real insight into the unseen world of the athlete- away from the bright lights- and highlight what it takes to make it at the very highest level of sport.”